Liane, 19, lives with her mother and sister in Fréjus in the south of France. Consumed by aspirations of beauty and stardom, she auditions for a reality show called "Miracle Island."
Wild Diamond, directed and written by Agathe Riedinger, delves into the complex and multifaceted theme of desire. The film's protagonist, Liane, embodies various forms of yearning—she craves to be desired by those around her, her male friends long for her affection, she obsessively chases social media followers, and she desperately seeks to escape the control that life imposes on her. Riedinger’s narrative is steeped in ambiguity, intentionally leaving viewers with a lingering sense of uncertainty about where the story is headed. While Liane’s ultimate goal—to be desired—is clear, the journey to achieve it is unpredictable and disorienting, reflecting the chaotic nature of modern desires.
The characters surrounding Liane add depth to the film's exploration of desire. Two key male figures in her life share a common history—they have both been through the foster care system and are now attempting to reintegrate into family life. Their circumstances, however, are far from ideal. They face poverty, instability, and emotional difficulties, which bind them in their shared experience of not belonging. This connection underscores the central theme of the film: the longing to be wanted.
Despite their shared background, these two characters have vastly different aspirations. One dreams of a stable life, with a job, a career, and a home he can share with Liane. His desires are grounded in a traditional sense of stability and achievement. In stark contrast, Liane's desires are boundless. She wants everything she feels entitled to, driven by a deep-seated belief that her worth is tied to what she can possess and how much she is desired. This raises critical questions about the lengths she is willing to go to achieve her desires and what she might lose along the way.
Liane’s desire is not merely a wish to be wanted; it is intrinsically linked to her perception of power. She believes that being desired will empower her, making her successful and famous. However, as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Liane struggles with the reality of this desire. She often shuns physical expressions of affection, unable to reconcile her fantasy with the harsh realities of life. Social media, her chosen platform for seeking validation, presents another challenge. While it offers her a stage to be seen and admired, it also exposes her to harsh criticism, which she finds difficult to handle.
The pacing of Wild Diamond may feel slow to some viewers, a deliberate choice that mirrors the uncertainty surrounding Liane’s journey. This slow burn is amplified by the contradictions within Liane’s desires. She yearns to be seen and loved for who she truly is, yet almost every aspect of her appearance is artificial. From stolen decorations to cosmetic enhancements, Liane is trapped in a cycle of altering her physical self to fit societal standards, even as she longs for acceptance as her authentic self. This tension between appearance and reality is central to the film’s narrative and underscores the deep sense of disconnection that drives Liane’s actions.
At its core, Wild Diamond is more than just a story about one woman's quest for self-love. It is a sharp critique of how modern media continues to select and shape individuals who are desperate for fame, perpetuating an illusion of beauty and success that is unattainable for most. Liane’s dream of becoming a social media influencer, a reality TV star, or someone significant and loved is emblematic of this critique.
Liane’s journey is marked by desperation. After working as a waitress and saving enough money for breast implants, she turns to shoplifting and selling goods on the street to make ends meet. Social media becomes her escape, with 10,000 followers who either idolise or vilify her. Riedinger does not necessarily endorse Liane’s choices, but the film provides a deep insight into why she makes them. It highlights the seductive power of social media and reality TV stardom, presenting them as seemingly attainable yet ultimately hollow escapes from a life of poverty. Her followers offer a form of love and validation that she never received from her mother, filling a void that only grows as she chases the dream of fame.
As Liane waits in increasing desperation to hear back from a reality TV show, Riedinger expertly crafts moments of humiliation and fleeting pleasures, building the tension to a point where, for Liane, it’s “Miracle Island” or nothing. First-time actress Malou Khébizi delivers a powerful performance, making Liane’s longing feel palpable and real.
Wild Diamond is shot in a constrained 4:3 aspect ratio, effectively boxing in the characters and intensifying the film’s themes of entrapment and confinement. The frame only opens up for brief moments, reflecting the temporary and fleeting nature of Liane’s hopes and dreams. The film’s visual style is stark and unflinching, capturing the bleak reality of a social class trapped in poverty and a generation addicted to the allure of celebrity. This is not a film about beauty, but rather about the desperation that drives people to chase it.
While Wild Diamond effectively portrays the flaws and struggles of its main character, the screenplay leaves several narrative threads underdeveloped. Liane’s relationships with her friends, sister, quasi-boyfriend, and mother remain largely unexplored, which may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied. However, these gaps do not diminish the film’s overall impact. Instead, they reflect the fragmented and incomplete nature of Liane’s life, where connections are tenuous and often unfulfilled.
Ultimately, Wild Diamond serves as a cautionary tale about the corrosive effects of influencer culture and the worship of superficial beauty. It presents a world where the need to be seen and desired has overshadowed talent and effort. In this universe, the desiring gaze is no longer that of an active participant but of a passive community of voyeurs and followers.
While Riedinger doesn’t offer a clear condemnation of the pursuit of a social media career, the film’s message about the hollowness of this pursuit is unmistakable. What lingers most after watching Wild Diamond is a profound sense of loneliness, the aching absence of maternal affection, and the aimlessness of a life spent chasing an unattainable dream. Social media, in this film, is not a platform for connection but a mirror reflecting back the emptiness within.
Wild Diamond is one of 105 films screening as part of the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF)
The full programme of 2024 films is outlined here.
Tickets can be booked online at www.nziff.co.nz