Set in the Paris suburb of Cergy, the debut feature of director Céline Sciamma captures the agonies of first love with a perceptive charm that cleverly exploits the teenage protagonists' obsession with synchronised swimming. It also confirms the old adage that appearances can be deceptive. Blonde beauty Adèle Haenel is not only the star of the swim team, but she's also dating handsome Warren Jacquin. However, she comes to rely upon adoring waif Pauline Acquart, whose sudden sense of importance by association causes her to neglect podgy pal Louise Blachère, who is herself bent on seducing Jacquin. Whether bitching or flirting, pursuing their desires or exposing their vulnerability, the female leads are superb. But it's Sciamma's insights into adolescent angst and social hierarchies that infuse this offbeat rite-of-passage tale with such emotional depth and unassuming wit.

Set during a sultry summer in a French suburb, Marie is desperate to join the local pool's synchronized swimming team, but is her interest solely for the sake of sport or for a chance to get close to Floriane, the bad girl of the team? Sciamma, and the two leads, capture the uncertainty of teenage sexuality with a sympathetic eye in this delicate drama of the angst of coming-of-age.