Water Lilies

2007 · 85 min · FR · NR · 6.5 (351 votes)

Dir. Céline Sciamma · Starring Pauline Acquart, Louise Blachère, Adèle Haenel, Warren Jacquin, Christel Baras, Marie Gili-Pierre · Music Para One

DramaRomance

Set during a sultry summer in a French suburb, Marie is desperate to join the local pool's synchronized swimming team, but is her interest solely for the sake of sport or for a chance to get close to Floriane, the bad girl of the team? Sciamma, and the two leads, capture the uncertainty of teenage sexuality with a sympathetic eye in this delicate drama of the angst of coming-of-age.

VIBE

This film feels like a humid summer afternoon, full of unspoken desires and the tender ache of burgeoning self-discovery. It's a quiet, sensual exploration of adolescent yearning, captured with a delicate, observational touch.

introspectivesensualmelancholicyearningslow-burnarthousenaturalisticintimateslice-of-lifecoming-of-ageteenage sexualityfirst loveidentity

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parisfranceforbidden lovefemale friendshiploss of virginityswimming poolcoming of agelocker roomteenage girlunderwatermasturbationshopliftingteenage sexualityfirst lovelgbtwoman directorsynchronized swimminglesbian