Fed up with her abusive family situation, lack of school prospects and the “boys' law” in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of three free-spirited girls. She changes her name, her style, drops out of school, starts stealing and seeks solace in an older man. Realising this lifestyle will never result in the freedom she craves, she finally decides to take charge of her own life.
“As in “Water Lilies” and “Tomboy” before this, Sciamma pushes past superficial anthropological study to deliver a vital, nonjudgmental character study.” Peter Debruge – Variety
“Where many filmmakers would have underlined the bleaker, harsher aspects, Girlhood presents the characters' grim reality without surrendering its lightness of touch, its compassion or its hope.” David Rooney – Hollywood Reporter