Wild Reeds (Les roseaux sauvages)

Dir. André Téchiné

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Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of the last days of the French-Algerian war and amidst the lush landscapes of Southern France, Wild Reeds is a coming-of-age saga looking at the sexual awakening of four teenagers. The quartet discover sensual delights while grappling with inner-conflict and political differences. Sensitive François (Gaël Morel) and feminist-communist Maïté (Élodie Bouchez) are in a somewhat stunted relationship, bonding over a mutual love for movies and rock'n'roll. However when François meets Serge (Stéphane Rideau), a handsome muscular youth from the local farming community, he comes to acknowledge his latent homosexuality, while Maïté is seduced by Henri (Frédéric Gorny), a teenage exile whose political stance is in complete opposition to hers. A powerful take on adolescent sexuality and social turmoil, André Téchiné's Wild Reeds is a poignant, moving, and life affirming expression of teenage angst and triumph.