Céline Roustan
As a bunch of girls get ready for a party – picking outfits, doing their hair, make-up, and chatting about some guy – Mercedes can’t really pay attention to the conversation, as her focus is on her friend instead. In Girls & The Party, writer/director Paloma López sensitively depicts a blossoming attraction through a slice-of-life narrative that surprises with its authenticity and palpable chemistry, leaving you wanting more.
Like most coming-of-age stories, there is a universal appeal to Girls & The Party given how undeniably relatable it is. We all remember how important those moments felt and recognize how character-driven narratives can be crafted from these situations. López does just that, opting to focus on only one character, contrasting her inner feelings with the canvas of the bustling excitement present in that bathroom.
The titular ‘girls’ getting ready for their night out.
From the very first shot, the audience is invited into the intimate world of these teenage girls, the camera lingering very close to them. The location hardly matters, it’s all about them and the frantic energy of getting ready together in a small bathroom. López and her DP Matthew Chuang make the experience feel immersive, as if we were just another friend in the room. In addition to the framing, the cinematography is very intentional with its aesthetic. From the color palette to the lens choice, there’s a nostalgic feel which works to romanticize these moments – which may feel mundane in the moment, but can become special with hindsight.
Working alongside Stéphane Myczkowski, López shaped the edit, crafting a pacing that echoes the energy of the situation. Alternating between all the girls talking at once and singing together, with the moments where Mercedes feels her attraction towards Julia. The juxtaposition makes the slower, quieter interactions feel even more powerful, just as they are for Mercedes. It also allows them to build a tension that almost enters will-they/won’t-they territory, captivating the audience and holding them in that moment.
Maya Delmont shines in the lead role of Girls & The Party.
The power of Girls & The Party lies in what’s felt rather than seen or said. This is why lead actress Maya Delmont’s performance is especially remarkable. The camera captures her subtle reactions – her facial expressions and even her breathing pattern – to immerse us in her personal experience. The chemistry she shares with Amber Wynne-Jones, who portrays Julia, is incredibly engaging as it depicts her navigating her confusion and the intensity of these new feelings.
Ahead of its online debut, Girls & The Party went around the festival circuit with notable stops at the BFI Future Film Festival, Aesthetica, Mecal and OutFest, where it won the Grand Jury Award. Since then, López has gone on to direct a new short film, Home, which premiered in 2024.