Stella (2008)

Beautiful portrait film. The café scenes are especially convincing, while those of the school hallway feel a bit less natural. Some nice tracking shots in the outdoor scenes too. Narratively, as expected, there is not much to experience, which means that Stella does not really distinguish itself from other films in the genre as far as I am concerned. I therefore think the Blue bird mentioned earlier is a bit better. Spacious three.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A kind of British drama of French descent. The film usually looks good, although I feel it lacks the dots on the i, among other things in terms of acting and originality. The whole style is especially reminiscent of similar British films, in which the main character comes from a lower environment and has to endure something, with a somewhat depressing background. Nice film, but as eRCee already pointed out, without distinctive character, and occasionally made something.

3*

Translated from Dutch · View original

This autobiographical film by Sylvie Verheyde follows a year in the life of a young teenager who grows up in the noisy working-class bar of her parents, who barely have time for her. That environment contrasts sharply with the posh school she ends up at the hands of one of the café's regular customers. The film empathetically portrays the girl's struggle to survive in both environments. A sympathetic, good-feeling film with beautiful performances by Léora Barbara in the title role and by Mélissa Rodriguès as her friend.

Translated from Dutch · View original