Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the French movie Girlhood is a bleak but affecting look at life in the housing projects outside Paris, where young people have few options and little chance to improve their lives. The main character joins a girls' gang and is soon stealing, extorting money from classmates, and beating up members of rival gangs. There are a few surprisingly violent scenes, some kissing and innuendo (as well as a glimpse of a naked male backside), and frequent swearing (in French), including words that are translated in the subtitles as "f--k," "bitch," "s--t," and "skank."
Sexual
Content
A few scenes show teens kissing and starting to caress each other. One shows a man's nude backside, and the girl is shown from behind, starting to undress. Some of the dialogue includes innuendo.
Violence
Two scenes show girls in brutal fist fights. An older brother harasses his younger siblings, slapping and even punching them. A teenage girl slaps her younger sister during a heated argument. Gangs of girls yell and taunt each other, threatening physical violence.
Language
Some swearing, in French, translated in subtitles as "f--k," "bitch," "bulls--t," and "skank."
Social
Behavior
The French class structure limits Marieme's options. It's hard for her to feel optimistic when she can see no future for herself, and it's easy to see why she joins a gang and starts acting like a thug.
Consumerism
Teens compare their mobile phones. Some are shown using iPhones, and one person talks about a specific Samsung Galaxy model. Teenage girls covet expensive clothing.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
A teen girl gets a job delivering drugs. Some characters are shown smoking cigarettes and drinking at parties.
