The 56th edition of Critics’ Week showcased the debut of French helmer Léa Mysius, whose film Ava charts the summer of a teenager, facing fears of bleak future.
Played by the actress Noée Abita, Ava must learn how to contain personal demons and meets challenges.
Ava, 13, is losing her sight from Retinitis Pigmentisa, a genetic condition which leads to her losing her night sight, then her peripheral vision, followed by total blindness.
She is determined to live life to the full while she can see, exploring her approaching blindness and constant nightmares which keep her awake at night.
She is attracted to an 18-year-old, Juan and his dog, who she names Lupo. Juan is a traveler in love with Jessica, over whom he fights but is stabbed.
Ava comes across the wounded Juan, helping him to recover. Once he is better, they embark on a spree of robberies at the beach, helping Ava to cope with her sadness. This, and Juan having sex with Ava, gets him into trouble with the police.
They escape from the police and Ava offers to help Juan recover his car keys so they can run away together. Ava joins Jessica’s wedding on the traveler site to wait tables, then slips away when the cake is served. She finds Juan’s wallet and driving license but can’t find his car keys.
The police raid the wedding, forcing Juan and Ava to run away without his car. While they are walking away, Jessica appears to give Juan his car, leaving her veil with Ava as token of love for the couple.
In a dreamy scene, Ava’s mom appears on a counter with her legs spread. It was actress Calamy who suggested to director Mysius that “we see a little more than the pubic hair, that the vulva is shown.
Cast
Noée Abita as Ava
Laure Calamy as Maud, Ava’s mother
Juan Cano as Juan
Tamara Cano as Jessica
Carmen Gimenez as Carmen
Daouda Diakhaté as Tété
