Will Earth wait for us?|Mar. 01, 2021|Germany, Switzerland|104 Min.|R
Genre: Reality;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: “The Colony 2021” is a beautifully crafted debut by Canadian filmmaker Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, offering a tender and calm portrayal of a shy 12-year-old navigating the transition between childhood and adolescence. The film is emotionally rich and superbly acted, though certain moments feel somewhat familiar, echoing themes from other indie coming-of-age stories.
Emilie Bierre delivers a touching performance as Mylia, a painfully self-conscious girl who hides in a bathroom stall on her first day at a new school. Mylia lives in a rural area with her parents and younger sister Camille, a mischievous character who brings charm to the screen. Watching the sisters together evokes a sense of melancholy as Mylia leaves her carefree childhood behind, stepping into the uncertain and anxious world of teenagehood.
The story highlights the pressures of growing up too quickly, as Mylia is exposed to situations that force her to confront her identity. A popular girl takes an interest in her, inviting her to a party where she faces new challenges, including interactions with boys who seem influenced by contemporary cultural norms. Among them, Jimmy, a thoughtful classmate of Abenaki descent, stands out, though a subplot addressing racism towards Indigenous people feels somewhat underdeveloped.
The film thoughtfully explores Mylia’s pivotal decisions, such as her first kiss and her choice to join the popular crowd, as she begins to shape her identity. While the narrative occasionally feels generic, revisiting universal experiences, it remains an engaging and impressive debut, marking Dulude-De Celles as a promising filmmaker.
Cast director: Tim Fehlbaum
Cast actor: Nora Arnezeder, Iain Glen, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Sope Dirisu, Sebastian Roché, Joel Basman
Original name: The Colony