a film as hungry for sensationalism as an episode of “Marseillais”

Critique Drama by Agathe Riedinger, with Malou Khebizi, Idir Azougli, Andréa Bescond (France, 1h43). In theaters November 20 ☆☆☆☆☆

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Collateral damage from social networks and reality TV: this portrait full of arrogance of a 19-year-old influencer from the slums of Fréjus. Even David Lynch's “Elephant Man” seems less fascinated by freak shows of Barnum as the look taken by Agathe Riedinger on this suffering young girl, selected for the casting of the ninth season of the show “Miracle Island”. The film rejoices in wallowing in its misery and emptiness (what a godsend!), transforming the character into a pure object of curiosity the better to offer it to the viewer's vindictiveness. Hooded attire, theft at the supermarket, an impossible love story with a young repentant delinquent, a plastic surgery project: Liane (Malou Khebizi) does not move a (false) eyelash without being judged with disapproval and condescension. The camera is as eager for sensationalism as an episode of “Marseillais”. The cultural veneer placed here and there by the filmmaker on the character's little virtual world fools no one – special mention to the invasive lyrical music which accompanies the bimbo's Instagram posts, displayed in large letters on the screen. It only underlines the element of grotesqueness and obscenity which weighs down this “Rough Diamond” from the bottom.