Alliance of Women Film Journalists Selection! Read an excerpt from Valerie Kalfrin's AWFJ review: "Based on a novel by French author Anne-Sophie Brasme, director Mélanie Laurent's BREATHE is a story propelled by the mercurial friendships of teenage girls. The drama rises on the rich performances of its two leads, Lou de Laâge and Joséphine Japy. During their fast and intense relationship, Sarah (de Laâge) accuses Charlie (Japy) of playing the victim—but Sarah’s pretty good at that herself. There are no clear villains and heroes in the film until the tragic (no spoilers) climax."

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Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds, Beginners) directs this taut, nuanced story about the depths of female friendships and the dark side of teenage infatuations, based on the best-selling young adult novel by Anne-Sophie Brasme. Seventeen-year-old Charlie (Joséphine Japy) is frustrated by her parents and bored with her life. Enter Sarah (Lou de Laâge), a confident and charismatic new transfer student who exudes an intoxicating air of boldness and danger. The two form an instant connection, but their intimacy also triggers feelings of jealousy and anger, setting them on a dangerous trajectory toward an inevitable yet unforeseen collapse.

BREATHE premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and is “An impressive second film that features intelligent writing and several knockout performances” (The Hollywood Reporter).

DIRECTED BY MÉLANIE LAURENT
FRANCE | 2014 | FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES