Marine Atlan’s debut film, “La Gradiva,” follows a group of French students on a school trip to Pompeii, capturing the complexities of adolescence. The 2-hour and 25-minute film focuses on the students’ negotiations between fitting in and asserting individuality.
The film centers on students including Suzanne Gerin, Colas Quignard (as Toni), and Mitia Capellier-Audat (as James). The narrative observes their interactions, from a train ride where Toni brushes past James, who is with a classmate, to discussions about sex and family roots. Suzanne, described as “sulky” and “artistic,” largely ignores the group’s energy.
Antonia Buresi plays Mme. Mercier, a Latin teacher who, despite being “exhausted,” maintains a passion for her subject, sparking interest in even the most disengaged students. The film’s direction creates a sense of a large, complex world, suggesting numerous other stories unfolding beyond the central focus. The screenplay, co-written by Atlan and Anne Brouillet, pays attention to social-class divisions among the young people. Scenes include political discussions, parsing of text messages, soccer games, and nighttime encounters, as well as moments like Toni and James using Grindr.
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