Wild Diamond Review: Debut Film Radiates Charm, Yet Lacks the Sensual Essence of Hyper-Femininity.

      Note: This review was initially published as part of our coverage for Cannes 2024. Wild Diamond is set to hit theaters on July 11.

      In her debut feature, French director Agathe Riedinger aims to present a glamorous yet realistic portrayal of the complicated relationship between youth and celebrity. Wild Diamond is the first film featured in this year's Cannes Official Competition and makes a strong impression, notably with a witty nod to the main character's potential aspirations to act in a film showcased at the Croisette festival. Riedinger has a deep understanding of the protagonist, having introduced Liane in her 2017 short film, Waiting for Jupiter, where she portrays a young girl in southern France who longs to become a reality TV star. Seven years later, Wild Diamond serves as an expansive character study, thanks to a remarkable performance by Malou Khebizi in the lead role.

      From the outset, Liane draws attention: she is seen elegantly swaying around a light pole in a wide shot, set against a pitch-black backdrop. Although no audience is visible, her high-heeled platform shoes sparkle as she spins around. This scene establishes Liane as an ambitious and self-sufficient 19-year-old, almost always concealing her fears behind a polished makeup look and a confident walk (stilettos are essential). Khebizi, a newcomer to acting, delivers an almost flawless performance, utilizing her limited dialogue and stylized gestures to portray Liane as nearly untouchable. If only the script matched the complexity achieved in her debut role.

      Wild Diamond captivates with its textured handheld cinematography by Noé Bach (who also filmed Mona Achache’s Little Girl Blue last year) and production design by Astrid Tonnellier, a collaborator of Betrand Mandico; together, they ensure the film shines like a diamond amidst the rough. Liane’s small-town life in Fréjus is tough: she navigates wooded paths and dirt roads between her mother’s home and the shopping mall (where she occasionally shoplifts). At home, Liane cares for her younger sister while constantly clashing with her mother, who has placed her older daughter in foster care, labeling her as “impossible.” Though Liane does not verbalize her abandonment issues, they surface in her fierce, aggressive attitude towards anyone obstructing her pursuit of a better life—away from home until a callback for a reality show audition presents an even greater opportunity.

      Liane's obsession with reality TV could be explored in depth—Riedinger has expressed her own interest—but crafting a compelling character driven by a desire to escape (both virtually, as a TikTok influencer, and physically) necessitates more than a straightforward narrative. Despite Khebizi’s considerable talent in capturing the unspoken tensions within Liane, the script ultimately obscures them under layers of makeup, foundation, and glamour. Presenting the protagonist as solely focused on her influencer present and future—committed to beauty and public perception—is merely the initial step. While we witness Liane dressing up, undressing, and even tattooing herself, her dazzling acrylic nails barely hint at her true self.

      The film struggles to grapple with its lead's ambivalence, relying on Dino (Idir Azougli), an old friend from the foster home who claims to love Liane. Although there's nothing wrong with a kind outsider capable of genuine affection (the only character in the film who doesn’t desire her merely for her looks), it raises suspicions when this love interest garners more favor than the envious, fame-hungry girlfriends. Soon enough, Dino attempts to pursue Liane and becomes frustrated by her emotional reserve. At this point, it becomes evident that other issues overshadow this protagonist beyond the male gaze.

      While Wild Diamond is articulate enough to place itself within female subjectivity and address the misogyny tied to the sexualization of young women (regardless of whether they have undergone cosmetic procedures or wear revealing outfits), it inadvertently adopts a surprisingly conservative stance on sensuality. It perpetuates a stereotype of "done-up" women—the so-called "bimbofication" of femininity—making them dangerously detached from their own sensual identities. In this context, artificial nails, hair extensions, and cosmetic enhancements are perceived as obstacles to genuine physical connection. This reasoning confines feminine aesthetics like Liane's to a "woman-doll" stereotype, denying any chance to reclaim that aesthetic as not only sensual but also erotic and genuinely empowering.

      Wild Diamond premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.