Spaghetti strap tops, fluffy hair ties, occasional acne, and shiny braces—the young girls in Bamboe are transitioning into adolescence. Summer is hot, time moves slowly, and they spend their days out in a bamboo field, making plans for an upcoming soapbox race.

Some of the girls soon start exploring the edge of the field, where they get a better view of their neighbour. Observing him at length, they try to get his attention. They decide to trespass and break into this trailer to take in as much as they can, touching and smelling his stuff.  

Flo Van Deuren’s graduation film at RITCS is an intoxicating coming-of-age story that depicts how sudden desire and sexual awakenings can impact childhood friendships. Compared to the confined and stuffy bamboo field, the world of this newcomer seems freer, and its possibilities are more sensual. The presence of the neighbour accelerates the girls’ transition into adolescence. Soon enough, the soapbox race is considered too childish by most of them. From now on, it’s each to their own, and they practically start circling him like vultures. 

Bamboe’s nostalgic mood alludes to the 1990s, both in form (with the use of the 4:3 aspect ratio) and content (no smartphones but rather VHS cameras). Van Deuren’s film takes time to witness the girls’ changes, like a sensory perception of its characters’ hormonal imbalances, with intimate, close-up shots and a poetic soundtrack as sultry as those hot summer days.