By Chris Kriofske
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Suzanne Lindon
Starring: Arnaud Valois | Frédéric Pierrot | Suzanne Lindon
Original language title: Seize Printemps
Country: france
Year: 2021
Running time: 73
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12444426
Chris says: “‘I’m bored with people my own age,’ notes Suzanne Lindon’s self-named teenaged protagonist; in her first feature, which she wrote, directed and starred in (at age *19*), you can see why. Gawky and plainspoken (resembling a young Charlotte Gainsbourg), Lindon’s heroine falls for a handsome actor nearly two decades older than her. That’s pretty much it in terms of plot, but there’s so much more going on, including but not limited to impromptu dancing, the tedium of both school and partying, intuitive use of the color red and many glasses of grenadine mixed with lemonade. A really promising debut. 4 cats
“TIFF 2020 Reviews”
At first glance, this charming French confection tells the tale of first love, as a teenager in high school develops a serious crush on an actor in a local play. It’s mildly disconcerting that the object of her affection is 35 years old, and returns her affections, but this is not an unsavory, steamy affair, but rather the coming together of two people who are looking for something to change their lives, even for a moment, and they find that in each other. The film is nearly entirely told from our young protagonist, Suzanne’s, point-of-view. More than a romance, this is really a coming-of-age story. Suzanne has a lot of friends, but in their posse, she still remains somewhat apart. This is in stark contrast with her family life, where she is happy and supported by her parents and her older sister. Yet when she spies the handsome Raphaël, struggling with his scooter outside of the local theater, she is quickly smitten, and begins some delightful teenaged stalking of the object of her affection. They meet, they grow close, and they realize that it’s not meant to be and move on. A simple story, but one made more amazing when you look at how it was made.
The film was written, directed, and starred Suzanne Lindon, who, as a teen herself (okay, she was 19) created this thoughtful feature that avoids pop sentimentalism, and focuses on cinematic delights, using quasi-musical conventions (her characters use motion and dance to express their deepest feelings) to move the story along. SPRING BLOSSOM artfully feels like it was written by a teenager, not because of any lack of experience or amateurishness, but because of the authenticity of the feelings expressed onscreen by the characters, most notably Suzanne’s. Raphaël remains a bit of a wish-fulfillment fantasy, alluring, sensitive, and safe (from a sexual viewpoint) as an awkward, introspective teen might create. Where Lindon stands out is as a writer and director who utilizes the language of film and story in skillful ways that show a great maturity that will only grow as she continues her craft. Even the title is an elegant metaphor, the brief existence of blossoms i the spring that echo the transient feelings of a teenaged girl. The daughter of two established French actor, the last name of Lindon should be familiar to Chlotrudis members, as her Dad, Vincent Lindon, has been nominated twice for a Best Actor Trudy, MEASURE OF A MAN, and LA MOUSTACHE, which he won. 4 cats
Sara says: “I’m sorry that I missed the discussion of this film, but I appreciate the link you sent, and your (as always) well-written comments.
“A couple of minor comments:
1. In fact, the director/write/star Suzanne Lindon was 15 when she wrote the screenplay (pretty amazing, in my opinion).
2. Also, not sure who chose the English-language title, but the French title, SEIZE PRINTEMPS, literally means ’16 Springs,’ a reference to the protagonist’s age.
“I really liked the film — especially the ‘seated dance sequence’ at the café. She reminds me so much of Charlotte Gainsbourg. Like you, I look forward to seeing what’s next from Suzanne Lindon.”