EVA HUSSON

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5

Original title:  Bang Gang (une histoire d’amour moderne)

France, 2015.  Full House, Canal+, Orange Cinema Series, B Media 2012, B Media Développement, Backup Media, Palatine Etoile 10 Développement, Centre National De La Cinematographie, Région Aquitaine, Département des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Procirep, Maneki Films.  Screenplay by Eva Husson.  Cinematography by Mattias Troelstrup.  Produced by Laurent Baudens, Didar Domehri, Gael Nouaille.  Music by Morgan Kibby.  Production Design by David Bersanetti.  Film Editing by Emilie Orsini.  

Laetitia is a teenager on the verge of adulthood whose concerned father keeps her to a curfew; if he knew what she and her best girlfriend George were actually up to, he probably wouldn’t let her out of the house ever again.  Laetitia and George are willing participants in a “Bang Gang”, their friend group from school getting together for some lighthearted orgies complete with iPhones lit and ready to post their adventures online.  This kind of rampant indulgence can never go on too long without the bill eventually coming up for payment, which is delivered in the form of some cases of a pesky venereal disease spreading pretty easily among them.  Meanwhile, shy neighbour Gabriel is a hesitant participant and an opportunity for George to pursue something a little more solid than just goofing around with immature boys.

Eva Husson intelligently investigates the world of these bored suburban kids without being either unnecessarily fascinated by their budding sexuality or judging them too harshly for not listening to their parents.  It’s sort of a dirty Bling Ring, with an appealing cast and a short running time so that even if your mind isn’t blown, you won’t have wasted too much time.

Toronto International Film Festival:  2015