Stella (2008)

Stella: Directed by Sylvie Verheyde. With Léora Barbara, Mélissa Rodriguès, Laëtitia Guerard, Karole Rocher. Paris, 1977. Eleven year old Stella knows poker better than grammar when she starts the year at a prestigious new school. There, she discovers the possibilities of a whole new world outside her parents’ bar.

“This French movie reminds me of an Italian movie, u0026quot;Diariu0026quot;, I have recently reviewed and appreciated so much for its intelligence in portraying the world of the teens. u0026quot;Stellau0026quot;, set in another context and in a different historical time, being it 1977 Paris and not contemporary Italy, shows that same intelligence, together with intensity. What I noticed and struck me in both movies is the perception that the emotional fragility and the sense of uneasiness proper of the young is always the same in any historical moment, but more striking is the fact that behind that world of uneasiness does always lie a world of confused and still emotionally fragile adults, who have grown old, but not grown up yet, adults by age but not by mind. u0026quot;Diariu0026quot; teaches that an encounter between the world of the adults and that of the adolescents is possible through care for others. In u0026quot;Stellau0026quot; does this encounter appear more difficult and painful, but in the end, a very moving and emotionally intense end, actually, the comforting idea emerges that children can forgive the mistakes of their parents in such a natural way. What both the young and the adults are looking for is just a single sign of care from others to give back mutually, and when there is love between these two, not so distant worlds, it is always possible to find the right time and space to start everything anew. Growing up has always been a difficult and hard path, but it is always worth setting out. Part of my emotional involvement was also due to the tender scenes of the first dances with a boy (accompanied by the still moving song u0026quot;Ti amou0026quot; by Umberto Tozzi), which reminded me, with a touch of never embarrassing nostalgia, of my adolescent years. In the end, I would underline Guillaume Depardieuu0026#39;s performance as truly moving and intense, and also the actors playing Stellau0026#39;s parents are good and involving. I am happy that this movie, after having been censored to people under 14, has been later been recognized as suitable for all people, I think itu0026#39;s a movie that the teens could really appreciate and learn something from.”