Les Filles du ciel marks the directorial debut of Bérangère McNeese, a Belgian-American filmmaker best known for her award-winning short films, including Matriochkas. Written and directed by McNeese herself, this drama features Héloïse Volle, Shirel Nataf, Yowa-Angélys Tshikaya, and Mona Berard. Produced by Paprika Films and distributed in France by Memento, the film is set for release on March 25, 2026. A Franco-Belgian co-production, it explores contemporary stories centered on young women and grassroots solidarities outside mainstream narratives.
Héloïse, homeless and without a stable future in sight, crosses paths with Mallorie, who offers her a place in the apartment she shares with two other young women. In this confined space, governed by unspoken rules, the young girl begins to discover a kind of surrogate family, built on rituals, protection, and mutual support. The shared living arrangement becomes both a sanctuary and a territory to navigate, with each girl carving out her own defined space.
The nightlife dictates their daily routine: nights out at clubs, massages offered to clients, income earned and immediately spent—all forming a delicate balance. Beneath the camaraderie and shared energy lie old wounds, complex relationships with authority, and struggles with dependency. The arrival of Héloïse shifts the dynamics and raises questions about the line between protection and control, within a tight-knit group that views itself as a shield against the outside world.
The project builds on themes already explored in the director's short films, particularly the dynamics within female groups and ambivalent attachment styles. In the press kit, Bérangère McNeese speaks about her fascination with micro-societies governed by their own rules, as well as stories of resourcefulness and survival on the fringes. The film was shot handheld, with a deliberately darker visual tone than traditional "girls' movies," to blend intimacy with a sense of tension.
The inclusion of a baby, entrusted to the character played by Mallorie, heightens the dramatic stakes and shifts the group’s dynamic. The filming with twin actresses portraying the infant, along with editing work alongside Christophe Evrard, helped shape the pacing and perspective, always focusing on faces and interactions. The original soundtrack by Simon LeSaint, who is also a DJ, underscores the nightclub scenes and immerses viewers into this vibrant nocturnal world.
With its tight structure and focus on bodies and gazes, the film fits into a tradition of coming-of-age stories that delve into female friendship and identity formation. Its world teeters between tender domestic scenes and underlying tension, employing an approach that favors empathy over explicit declaration. The story resonates with viewers who are drawn to contemporary dramas rooted in social realities, blending intimate portraiture with ensemble storytelling.
Les Filles du ciel
Film | Coming in 2026
Release date in theaters: March 25, 2026
Drama | Runtime: 1h36
Directed by Bérangère McNeese | Starring Héloïse Volle, Shirel Nataf, Yowa-Angélys Tshikaya, Mona Berard
Original title: Les Filles du ciel
Countries: France, Belgium
In her debut feature film, Bérangère McNeese offers a powerful coming-of-age story focused on female solidarity, capturing its passions and contradictions. Blending elements of emotional refuge with moments of confrontation, Les Filles du ciel delves into how a group of young women forms in response to personal vulnerabilities, set against a nocturnal backdrop that amplifies and unveils their hidden tensions.
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