Las chicas del balcón

... in here or out there? Why not both? A balcony is there for a reason is it not? Well no pun intended - while this is about women on balconies ... this is about way more actually. About feminism - now if that word has a negative connotation in your mind/head, hold on for a second. Don't let that be in the way of enjoying the movie - or rather diving into the experience of the movie.

Because this is quite complicated - it is about so many things. And they are not afraid to show themselves. Physically and mentally speaking of course. There is a lot of nudity, but also a lot craziness. Noemie who also stars in this made her first film and it really is bold! She is a force to be reckoned with - the movie may go to many different places and has different characters (who are complex in and of themselves), but this tells us to listen - to show empathy ... and understanding ... otherwise things may go south quickly and no one wants that.

And a bit of insight to ones own actions ... admitting to wrongdoing, does not only help the victims (those harmed), but also yourself ... everyone can move on. Not entertaining per se then ... but really important, as a message, as voice and as a movie.

A women's film, which is about woman and for women... And men too anyway... Three fulfilling young friends settled in the south of France to share pleasant moments in the carefree freedom will be confronted with unexpected adventures. A film with a very special tone directed by Noémie Merlant that never ceases to amaze us. It is a subtle mix of funny/gore, tragicomic absurd and offbeat scenes shot «amateur» with saccades and instability. These girls appear to be both naive and strong-willed in their actions. The script has the merit of originality. It's not so much the story that stands out, but the way in which the director exploits the potential of her actresses to soften the atrocity. In short, we spend a pleasant moment of cinema without dieting.

Temperatures soar in the south of France, the air is boiling in Marseille, people are advised to stay home and enjoy each other's company. However, Denise has had enough of the company of her abusive husband, who is always hungry, so she stabs him with a spade, and then suffocates him to death on their balcony. This is how the story starts, but it's not Denise who's the main character: the plot revolves around three younger women Nicole, Ruby and Elise who decide to have a little get-together on Nicole's balcony that evening and they will never stop.

This picture is Noémie Merlant's debut as adirector, and she's doing this with a blast. She's not scared to combine all the existing film genres in one: horror, love story, thriller, drama, comedy, etc. But she doesn't seem to care about the genre, what she does care about is to make her message very clear. She says, no, yells, shrieks, screams: a lot of women are daily raped, violated, humiliated, oppressed, and victim-blamed by men, most of whom are their boyfriends, husbands or neighbors. Noémie doesn't want them to get away with it, nor do her grotesque characters, who will find their liberation, and they don't care at what cost.

An astonishing, gross, graphic and very confident debut. Bravo Noémie!

Thematically (and I suspect, deliberately) this is all over the map in terms of its inspirations and borrowings from a wild variety of genres. As such, one just has to "go with it" if it's your kind of thing.

I must say though that, for me, too many of the scenes felt familiar from other films (at one point it felt like a direct homage to Almodovar, for example), although Merlant the actor demonstrates admirable commitment to her debut directing project.

There's a serious feminist message here but, given the total lack of sympathetic male characters, it's hardly the most balanced film - I suspect allowing any borderline cases to say to themselves "well, I'm nothing like *that* guy..." rather than perhaps take on board the need to change behaviour somewhat.

Quite fun in parts, and worth a look, but less amusing than I was expecting.

First thing you need to know going in is that this film is unlike any you will have watched before.

It is funny, it is over the top, it is gore, it is feminist,... it tackles issues such as sexual assault and rape in an empowering way where the victims of SA get their revenge. I loved how Noémi was able to go above and beyond with this movie.

Just go watch it I cannot spoil more to you.

The dialogue is witty and the cinematography is unbelievable. The movie takes place in France during a heatwave and it is almost like you can feel the warmth coming out of your screen.

The entire movie is all together so extremely sexpositive and does not have any shame in it for the female body.

GO WATCH IT NOW ISTG it does not get enough stars on here, this is fr one of my favourite movies right now.