Feminist Dissident Agathe Riedinger's Spiral Journey as Presented by Jorge Ayala Blanco
Raw Diamond: A Tale of Modern Ferocity
Stepping onto the cinematic scene with a bang, Wild Diamond (Brutal Diamond, France, 2024), Agathe Riedinger's explosive first feature, captivates audiences and solidifies her as a fresh, provocative voice in the industry. A Parisian native with a flair for decorative arts and a history in music video direction and short filmmaking, Riedinger shines brightly with this gritty debut[1][2][4].
The film tells the captivating story of Laila, a 19-year-old foster child wannabe influencer, who's constantly uploading sexuallycharged selfies and minivideos to Instagram and TikTok[2]. Struggling to make her mark, she and her young sister, Alicia, live in close quarters with their promiscuous mother, Sabine, who masterfully exploits the desires of her sugar daddies. Her life teems with thefts, harassment, and a torrid love affair with Dino, a motorcyclist[2]. Add to that Laila's relentless pursuit of fame through a reality show, and the stage is set for a femidescent spiral.
This spiral represents Laila's calculated construction of herself in the age of reality TV and social networks, encompassing deliberation, irony, bitterness, and hardness. It transcends the themes of coming-of-age and delves into the realm of feminine vivisection, focusing on the self-modeling of one's own body as an object of desire[3]. Predominant amidst this exploration is the triumph of superficiality and existential illusion, as Laila grapples with narcissism, desperation, and the easy, astoundingly unstoppable descent[3].
The femidescent spiral is underscored by a pruritus of grand stylization and overwhelms any attempts at sentimental blackmail or melodramatic low blows. For Laila, it encompasses the nocturnal escape from her mother and the prolonged top-shot in which she undergoes an array of emotion, from shame to pleasure[3]. Laila's fury emerges when she confronts the mysterious Ferrer, her pseudo-contractor who has mysteriously disappeared. The tracking shots during Laila's capture and escape and her pitiful attempt at transgressive striptease all contribute to the femidescent spiral.
Ultimately, the femidescent spiral morphs into a sarcastic ascending form as Laila achieves influencer status, her descent into hell giving way to her ascent into stardom[3]. As she looks out the window of an airplane on her way to realizing her dreams, it seems as though the feminine journey of alienation has reached a sacred rereading, with people eager to see and love Laila.
The femidescent spiral is brought to life through Noé Bach’s hasty photography, Lila Desiles’ recurring editing, Audrey Ismaël’s incisive music, and Astrid Tonnelier’s neo-naturalistic art direction[3]. All these elements come together to weave the proto-feminist Rossellinian theme of abandonment, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Also Read: "Living with Oblivion": Interview with Ernesto Lumbreras
Footnotes:1. Coagula Art Journal2. Cineuropa3. Sight & Sound4. Variety
- Reflecting the themes of modern entertainment, Agathe Riedinger's directorial debut, 'Wild Diamond,' weaves a tale of feminine identity in the age of social networks and reality TV, echoing the culture of movies-and-tv in its raw, provocative portrayal.
- The cinematic landscape of 'Wild Diamond' mirrors contemporary culture, with its explorations of superficiality, existential illusion, and the consequences of narcissism in the realm of entertainment and social media.
