Young & Beautiful is a stunning portrayal of a 17-year-old girl's journey of sexual discovery. Francois Ozon’s coming-of-age story JEUNE ET JOLIE, which screened in Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, is to be released in cinemas across the UK on 29th November 2013. A star-making performance by newcomer Marine Vacth in the lead role, the film also screened at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival as well as at the BFI London Film Festival.

The Story
Isabelle (Marine Vacth) is on summer vacation in the South of France when she takes up a desultory relationship with Felix (Lucas Prisor), a hunky German tourist. He is neither her emotional nor her intellectual equal. She gives up her virginity to him, only to cast him aside without another thought a few days later. In the Autumn, Isabelle is back in Paris, where  she's set up a website to accept appointments from guys she will meet for sex in chic hotel rooms. She is a cool professional. But this does not mean she's immune to the effects of the sexual whims of and occasional rough treatment from men. It is only with one regular client that she allows herself to experience any pleasure. That is until the unthinkable happens and she's forced to deal with the consequences of her decisions.

Ozon's film provides an unprejudiced glimpse into the adolescent female psyche. While he subtly hints at an economic subtext, Ozon perfectly captures the sense of fearlessly searching for her identity.

JEUNE ET JOLIE is to be released in UK cinemas on 29 November.