Dear Prudence
Belle épine
Rebecca Zlotowski
© Pyramide Distribution
Prudence Friedman is 17. Suddenly left to her own devices in her family’s flat, she meets Marilyne, a high-school rebel, who introduces her to the racing circuit at Rungis, where powerful and souped-up motorbikes race dangerously. Fascinated by the circuit gang, Reynald, Franck and the others, Prudence tries to earn her place, trying to pass off her solitude as freedom.
Scenario : Rebecca Zlotowski, Gaëlle Macé
Cinematography : George Lechaptois
Sound : Mathieu Descamps
Editing : Julien Lacheray
Music : Robin Coudert
Cinematography : George Lechaptois
Sound : Mathieu Descamps
Editing : Julien Lacheray
Music : Robin Coudert
Production : Les Films Velvet, Moby Dick Films
On the well-worn tracks of the French teenage chronicle, Belle épine (Dear Prudence) moves doggedly forward, weaving scenes of a rough and ready sensuality between the humour, rather than the programme of a screenplay – and in fact the screenplay doesn’t move forward all that much, preferring to rehash its dry melancholy. In such a setting, Léa Seydoux proves, it has to be said, to be perfect, and much more at ease than in the doll costumes she has been made to wear up to now. The film takes undeniable advantage of her stubborn face, and that feverish look that always more or less gives the impression that she is just getting over a bout of heavy flu. (...) Belle épine is a highly recommendable first film. (Jérôme Momcilovic; Chronicart.com)�