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Film Society Bourse- 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia |
LA GRADIVA By Marina Atlan| FRANCE | 2026 | 145 MIN | FRENCH
Achingly beautiful and shot on 16mm, French filmmaker Marine Atlan’s beguiling coming-of-age debut about a French high school trip to the
ruins of Pompeii is an epic, yet strikingly intimate, story of self-discovery, disappointment, and yearning.
The explosive metaphor of a still-active Mount Vesuvius providing the scenic backdrop for a group of French hormonal teenagers isn’t lost on cinematographer-turned-writer/director Marine Atlan in her astoundedly assured debut, La Gradiva. Within her cadre of adolescents—and equally complicated chaperones—it is easy to identify who has been branded the class “rebel,” “nerd,” and “popular” kid. But as La Gradiva’s entrancing and rightfully-earned long runtime unfolds, Atlan reveals a dense, raw work, devoid of easy classification, that alludes to classic works of myth as much as it depicts the harsh truths of contemporary living. The self-assured James (Mitia Capellier-Audat) is at first the class enfant terrible whose claims of a lost noble heritage fuel his quest for answers and purpose. James’ counterpart and object of his affection, Toni (Colas Quignard), is permanently adrift, reluctant to cross the threshold of adulthood. In contrast, the unassuming aspiring artist Suzanne (Suzanne Gerin) gave up any chance of enjoying the twilight of her adolescence years ago and is ready to escape the crude insults of her peers. The exquisite 16mm cinematography from Atlan elevates this deep ensemble to a mythical status that is as alluring as it is dangerous. It’s only a matter of time until they, well, explode.
Cast: Colas Quignard, Suzanne Gerin, Mitia Capellier-Audat, Antonia Buresi
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Duration: 1,5 hours
Location:
Film Society Bourse- 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Language: French O.V, English subtitles
Fee: 16$ AF members / 20$ AF non-members
Ticket holders must arrive at the theater at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
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