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Geek Vibes Nation
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Wild Diamond' Review - The Coming-Of-Age Film For The Influencer Era
We've all had dreams of wanting to be famous. When I was a kid, the first thing I ever wanted to be was a film director. Whether it be an athlete, actor, singer, or some other form of notoriety, most people have at least thought of what it would be like to be famous. These feelings can come from a number of places within us. Unbridled confidence, arrogance, and determination are one thing, but many chase fame simply to get out of their less-than-stellar life situations. That's where we find Liane, the protagonist of Agathe Riedinger's feature film debut Wild Diamond. Liane (Malou Khebizi) is a 19-year-old micro-influencer living at home with her mom and sister in southern France. She spends her days wandering aimlessly through the streets, stealing name-brand items from shopping centers and peddling them in smaller towns to fund her makeshift, lavish lifestyle. Early on in the film, Liane gets a call from a casting director of a reality television show, and she comes in for an audition. It seemingly goes well, leading to an ego boost and increased desire to get out of her current circumstance. The audition is the catalyst for the rest of the film, putting a heightened strain on Liane's relationships with her family and friends. Cinematographer Noé Bach and composer Audrey Ismael combine their crafts to create an enthralling atmosphere for Liane's quest for stardom. There are a few club scenes where Liane focuses on dancers on stage and the music cuts out, with a heavy string score coming through as the lights flash before her eyes. This score and bright neon colors continue throughout the film, cutting beneath the constant onslaught of music and social media noise she consumes. These moments seem to offer her a reprieve from the stress of waiting on a call from the casting director and trying to look better than her friends. Even though she and her friends don't necessarily have the cash to go to clubs and buy the things they'd like, it doesn't stop them from trying. Whether through negotiating or straight-up theft, they find themselves getting into trouble at every turn. Their incessant need to give off the high-dollar lifestyle is almost insufferable at times, but that's also just the folly of youth. Chasing what they think they need to be successful instead of building a solid foundation for themselves. Riedinger's script and direction hit at something unique to this age bracket, something that many coming-of-age films miss. We see Liane's angst, that's for sure, but she also shows a more caring side, especially when it comes to her younger sister. Their mother is depicted as a lazy tyrant, unemployed and sleeping around with 'sugar daddies' to help pay the bills. Liane stands up to her, often at the defense of her sister (as well as her own freedom), which adds nuance to a character that could have been more one-note. We also see a softer side of Liane when she encounters Dino (Idir Azougli), a young man who works at a dirtbike shop in her small town. As she continues to wait for an answer regarding the reality show, she diverts her attention to Dino at first as a distraction, but soon as a real love interest. He sees through her makeup and dazzling clothes to the real beauty she holds. Wild Diamond is a strong debut for Agathe Riedinger, which attacks a newer and somehow modern, potent angle at gaining fame: becoming an influencer. Not everything comes together perfectly, but the sum of its parts is ultimately effective. Khebizi's performance is certainly a standout, offering the angst we expect from a young woman like Liane but also bringing depth and nuance to her character. Wild Diamond is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Strand Releasing.
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Wild Diamond' Review: The Reel World
In 'Wild Diamond,' the dream of reality TV stardom is one young woman's salvation — a way out of her bleak life in southern France. But should a 19-year-old have to commodify her sexuality in the name of self-worth? Does it become more understandable — or more unsettling — when we learn she's driven by emotional neglect? Even if we didn't witness the fame-obsessed Liane (Malou Khebizi) shielding her younger sister from their mother's sex sounds in the next room, or see the threat of eviction, we'd still sense trouble at home just by her frantic determination to make it onto 'Miracle Island.' Liane auditions for the hit reality show, which might be her best shot at breaking free from the confines of her troubled family. But when she tattoos her abdomen — wincing in pain, then calmly flaunting the fresh ink for her thousands of TikTok followers — you want to show her another path. Moments like these crystallize, to heartbreaking effect, the movie's uneasy compassion for influencer culture. Originally a short film by the writer-director Agathe Riedinger, this feature debut unfolds in waves of tension and release. Khebizi brings palpable desperation to the role of Liane, despite the limited script, while the cinematographer Noé Bach intimately frames Liane like we're intruding on her space. Her glittering ambitions stand out all the more against this unadorned naturalist look. Eventually, we find out whether Liane got the role. But the film's most haunting question remains: Which reality is safer — the one she's learned to survive, or the one that tempts her with its illusion of hope? Wild DiamondNot rated. In French, Italian and English, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes. In theaters.
