French teens navigate love and Pompeii's ruins

Cinematographer turned director Marine Atlan's debut film offers a poignant look at young love and adolescent emotional turmoil. The narrative centers on a group of French teenagers and their teacher, Mercier, during a school trip to Pompeii and Naples.

Mercier, portrayed with sympathetic intelligence by Antonia Buresi, finds herself at a quiet breakdown due to emotional frustration and the challenge of managing her students. Among them is Toni, whose personal history and perceived aristocratic lineage become a focal point, intertwined with the ancient catastrophe of Pompeii.

Simultaneously, a disaffected student named Suzanne grapples with her own sense of self-worth. Her journey involves witnessing Toni's disillusionment and experiencing personal triumphs, ultimately leading to a shifting status that contributes to the film's sombre tone.

The film uses the historical setting of Pompeii and the ancient myth of Gradiva to explore themes of identity, desire, and the enduring impact of youthful experiences. It highlights how intense moments of euphoria and humiliation from teenage years can shape an individual's life.