237. Love According to Dalva

 

LOVE ACCORDING TO DALVA

Cert 15

88 mins

BBFC advice: Contains child sex abuse theme, strong language

It would be horrific to know how many children are brought up to believe that the actions of a sexual abuser are a form of love.

The simple and sad fact is that they know no different.

Thus, stories such as that of Dalva (Zelda Samson) are sickeningly common.

The 12-year-old girl is in the care of social services after the arrest of her father (Jean-Louis Coulloc'h) but she doesn't see that he has done any wrong and just wants to go home.

Thus, she defends her father and repeatedly attempts to escape.

Samson is completely convincing in her portrayal of Dalva as a girl who is out of sync with her new environment.

Fanta Guirassy plays her more worldly wise room-mate and, at first the pair clash, but gradually find common ground.

Emmanuelle Nicot's film makes lots of riveting points about the terrible effects on a young victim of sexual abuse.

For example, Dalva is subject of heinous crime but her treatment by the beleaguered authorities also feels like punishment or even imprisonment.

That said, they are caught between a rock and a hard place as they attempt to keep her safe.

Meanwhile, we were very surprised at some of the processes (would a child victim really be able to visit their abuser in jail?).

Despite a couple of misgivings, I found Samson and Guirassy impressive and Love According To Dalva compelling.

Reasons to watch: Riveting drama

Reasons to avoid: Upsetting scenes

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? In 2021, there were 693 convictions for rape of minors in France.

The final word. Emmanuelle Nicot:  I immersed myself in an emergency reception centre, with young people placed in care because of abuse. I also heard the story of the father of one of my friends, who was an educator. One day, he found himself faced with a six-year-old girl, highly sexualised, who lived alone with her father.  Love According to Dalva was born out of all of this. I wondered who this little girl would be at the age of 12, when biological puberty arrives, the age of the first strong emotions." Cineuropa

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