17 Girls 2012

In the picturesque port city of Lorient, Camille’s life takes an unexpected turn when a chance encounter leaves her facing an uncertain future. The once-carefree teenager now finds herself grappling with the reality of pregnancy, a consequence of a single moment of vulnerability. As she navigates this uncharted territory, Camille’s relationships with those around her begin to shift. Her overworked mother, who has long been struggling to provide for her family, is met with Camille’s newfound sense of responsibility and determination to create a better life for herself and the child growing inside her.

Camille confides in her closest friends - Julia, the devoted follower; Flavie, the intelligent and pragmatic problem-solver; Clémentine, the whimsical and free-spirited young woman; and Mathilde, the down-to-earth voice of reason - about her pregnancy and the complex emotions that come with it. As she grapples with the decision to keep or terminate the pregnancy, Camille’s friends become an integral part of her journey. Julia, Flavie, and Clémentine rally around their friend, offering support and encouragement as Camille seeks to find a way forward.

Meanwhile, Florence, a shy and introverted student who has long been marginalized by Camille and her group, finds solace in the fact that she is not alone in her struggles. When Camille learns of Florence’s own pregnancy, she reaches out to invite her into their fold, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among the two women.

As news of Camille’s pregnancy spreads throughout their school, tensions arise between her and her mother. The argument that ensues reveals deep-seated issues and misunderstandings between the two, with Camille ultimately emerging as a stronger, more self-assured individual.

In the midst of these challenges, Camille proposes an unconventional solution to her friends: they should all get pregnant together, creating a support system for one another that would be lacking in their own homes. While Julia, Flavie, and Clémentine are initially receptive to the idea, Mathilde declines, citing concerns about the practicalities of such a plan.

As the days turn into weeks, Camille’s relationships with those around her continue to evolve. She has a candid conversation with the father of her baby for the first time since their encounter, ultimately deciding that she will not burden him with parental responsibilities once the child is born. With Julia by her side, Camille reflects on the significance of this decision and its implications for her future.

In a separate but equally poignant storyline, Clémentine’s struggles to find her place among her peers come to a head when she is unable to secure a romantic partner, leading her to question her own identity and sense of self. As the group navigates these complex issues, they are forced to confront their own biases and preconceptions about one another, ultimately emerging stronger and more empathetic as a result.

As the initial shock settles, Julia and Flavie’s concurrent pregnancies ignite a firestorm at school, prompting faculty members to scramble for solutions to the mounting teenage pregnancy crisis. The girls, determined to break free from parental constraints, hatch a plan to form a communal living arrangement, reliant on welfare support as they navigate motherhood together. As word of their intentions spreads, more students outside Camille’s social circle find themselves with unwanted pregnancies, stirring anxiety among parents, boys, and faculty members alike. The threat of expulsion looms large for Camille, while the media begins to pick up the story, amplifying the controversy.

Desperate to join her friends in this new chapter, Clémentine extends an offer to a reclusive boy, proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement – 50 euros in exchange for his cooperation; though initially rebuffed, he eventually accepts, and Clémentine finds herself expecting. As Camille begins to envision her future as a mother, her relationship with her own mother undergoes a remarkable transformation.

Meanwhile, Clémentine’s parents respond with hostility upon discovering her pregnancy, prompting her to flee with the help of Camille and their friends, seeking refuge in an abandoned mobile home in Étel, where they intend to establish their self-sufficient commune. Left alone during a torrential thunderstorm, Clémentine has a change of heart and returns to her parents, who eventually come to terms with her situation. However, the group soon discovers that Florence’s claim of pregnancy was a fabrication from start to finish, and she is subsequently ostracized.

Following a minor road accident, Camille suffers a devastating miscarriage. As the aftermath settles, Camille and her mother vanish without warning, leaving their friends in the dark as to their whereabouts – only reestablishing contact once their children are born. The remaining pregnant girls bring new life into the world, but ultimately disperse, abandoning their initial plans for communal child-rearing.