WILD REEDS
dir. André Téchiné, 1994
France. 114 min.
In French with English subtitles.

Set against the backdrop of the last days of the French-Algerian war and amidst the lush landscapes of Southern France, WILD REEDS is a coming-of-age saga looking at the sexual awakening of four teenagers. The quartet discover sensual delights while grappling with inner-conflict and political differences. Sensitive François (Gaël Morel) and feminist-communist Maïté (Élodie Bouchez) are in a somewhat stunted relationship, bonding over a mutual love for movies and rock'n'roll. However when François meets Serge (Stéphane Rideau), a handsome muscular youth from the local farming community, he comes to acknowledge his latent homosexuality, while Maïté is seduced by Henri (Frédéric Gorny), a teenage exile whose political stance is in complete opposition to hers. A powerful take on adolescent sexuality and social turmoil, André Téchiné's WILD REEDS is a poignant, moving, and life affirming expression of teenage angst and triumph.

New York theatrical premiere of new restoration by Altered Innocence and Anus Films.