What is it about?
Promised a bright future as a swimmer, 16-year-old Violet decides to come to terms with her homosexuality. Moved by the kindness of her parents, Lisa falls in love. Love at first sight is mutual, but Lisa wants to keep their relationship a secret; His very conservative family will not accept this reality.
Together they discover the joy of first love, which allows Violetta to find strength in the face of her first homophobic reactions. However, their love changes when Violetta is attacked while walking hand in hand.
Wednesday, June 14 at 9:10 p.m. on France 2
who is he with
Directed by Sandrine Weisset (Will It Snow at Christmas?), the TV film La Vie avant toi, broadcast this Wednesday on France 2, stars two wonderful young actresses: Zoë Heran, discovered in Celine Sciamma’s Tomboy and recently seen in Stalk and Myra Schmitt, well known to fans of Leo Mattei, La Faute à Rousseau or Le Saut du diable.
Alongside them, the parents of their characters are played by Eleanor Bernheim (The Art of Crime), David Kamenos (The Menace of Kermadec), Christel Rembe (Our Dear Neighbors, This Is Where It All Begins) and Philippe Dussault (Le Châlet).
The cast includes Xavier Widhoff (Tomorrow Belongs), Teilo Azais (Un Si Grand Soleil), Alia Lexilus (ASKIP), Tristan Zanch (Dangerous Liaisons), Valentin Duclos (Plus belle la vie) and Aymeric Fougeron (Prometheus). Roles of classmates of two heroes.
Is it worth checking out?
In the middle of the month of LGBTQ pride, France 2 offers this evening an important unit presented last September at the La Rochelle festival, which strongly condemns homophobia, focusing on the daily life of a 16-year-old young swimmer who will fall. in love with a friend
There is no doubt that their budding love story will arouse some people’s misunderstanding and hatred. In high school or in the family circle.
“Violet’s character immediately seduced me!”admits in an interview French televisions Zoë Heran, who holds life at arm’s length before your eyes, in which she displays an astonishing precision of interpretation.
“She’s a confident 16-year-old girl who swims competitively. A lesbian, Violet fully embraces her sexuality and thrives in a caring family environment. It’s also important to show that on TV!”.
Despite the specifics typical of France 2 social television films broadcast in prime time, director Sandrine Weisset manages to look at the relationship between Violetta and Lisa with tenderness and modesty, avoiding most of the clichés that still too often accompany the stories. Homosexuality, both in the young and in the old.
In addition to featuring two lesbian heroines in the foreground – something that is not very common in French television – La Vie avant toi also reflects the reality of the atmospheric climate towards the LGBTQ+ community.
A reality that combines real progress in terms of acceptance, but also more and more homophobic attacks. Like Violet’s experience of being hit in the middle of the street when she’s walking with Lisa. And it won’t be long before someone close to Lisa, who can’t stand their happiness, will be responsible for her ordeal.
“It was essential for me to show that we were on the right path in accepting homosexuality, that there was great progress. But it was equally important to show that the fight is far from over. It must end! Homophobia still exists in France today… and at any age”Zoe Heran explains.
“I also especially loved the topic of bullying. When I was younger, there weren’t all these social networks except for Facebook. The bullying stopped when you left college or high school. Today, a teenager comes home and continues to be harassed by text. It’s become hell. Young people really need to understand the meaning of words.”.
If we can regret the parallel, which is a little too sharp and supportive, between Violet’s coming out, which is idyllic with open parents and great support, and Lisa’s parallel, which is like many a young person’s worst nightmare. Homosexuals don’t want to share their truth with their loved ones, Life Before You somehow manages to hit the mark a few times and give us a few emotional uppercuts in its 90 minutes.
A real punch, a heart-wrenching TV movie that is more needed than ever in the audiovisual landscape and that, beyond its scripted or staged qualities, owes much to the consistent talent of its cast.
Starting of course with Zoë Heran and Myra Schmitt, who left the 2022 La Rochelle Festival with the Best Female Performance prize. Without forgetting Eleonore Bernheim, David Kamenos, Christel Rebbe or Xavier Wiedhoff, all is very fair.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
