Weibliche Blicke auf die Banlieue

Perspektiven im französischen Kino

Abstract

This article examines the contemporary cinema of the French banlieues, which deals with the social, political and cultural realities of these marginalized suburbs. While most stories about the banlieue focus on the tough everyday lives of young men, strong female characters are also occasionally featured. The film “La Vie Scolaire” (2019) will be used to examine how gender-specific perspectives are represented in banlieue cinema and to show that the cinematic representation of the banlieues is characterized not only by male but also by patriarchal narratives. This raises the question of the extent to which cinema adequately depicts the diverse realities of banlieue residents, especially those of women. The analysis highlights the need for a stronger representation of female perspectives in order to paint a more comprehensive picture of the social dynamics in the banlieues.