Peppermint Soda

Peppermint Soda

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1977
Founder	Diane Kurys
Products	Coming-of-age comedy-drama film
Parent	Gaumont Film Company

Peppermint Soda () is a 1977 French coming-of-age comedy-drama marking the directorial debut of Diane Kurys, who co-wrote the screenplay. This autobiographical feature was honored with the Louis Delluc Prize at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.

Set during 1963–1964, the narrative centers on two adolescent sisters attending Lycée Jules-Ferry in Paris. The film's title alludes to a fizzy beverage favored by the younger sibling. Drawing heavily from Kurys's personal history, the movie opens with a dedication: "For my sister—who still hasn't returned my orange sweater."

Plot

In September 1963, Anne Weber, aged 13, and her 15-year-old sister Frédérique spend the summer with their recently separated father before moving back to their mother’s home in Paris for the academic year. Both girls are enrolled at the strict all-girls Lycée Jules-Ferry.

Anne is shy and struggles academically, attracting criticism from educators and feeling socially isolated due to small details like not wearing stockings like her peers. Eager to appear more mature, she feigns menstrual pain and engages in lighthearted conversations about sex with friends despite her limited understanding. She also fabricates a story claiming her sister’s boyfriend Marc is her own.

Meanwhile, Frédérique becomes politically aware, particularly concerned with the Algerian War and her Jewish heritage, which causes tension with her affluent friend Perrine. She forms a new friendship with Pascale, who shares an account of a harsh police response to a peaceful demonstration against far-right activists.

When their friend Muriel runs away, speculation about her whereabouts spreads. During a visit to Muriel’s father, he makes an inappropriate advance toward Frédérique. Muriel returns briefly, revealing she has left school and is living on a farm with a boyfriend. Frédérique also performs in a school play; although their father attends, he leaves without acknowledging her efforts. The sisters later spend the summer back at their father’s seaside residence.

Production

Diane Kurys, despite lacking previous directing experience, developed this film to address the scarcity of cinema focusing on adolescent girls, basing it on her own recollections and life events. Her intention was to depict adolescence authentically, emphasizing its difficulties rather than romanticizing it.

The production was financed through a combination of a grant and backing from Gaumont Film Company, which initially doubted the project but ultimately supported Kurys due to her determination. The setting is the very lycée Kurys attended, with characters modeled after herself and her sister. Filming commenced in August 1977.

Éléonore Klarwein was cast at the same age as her character and had no prior acting experience; she encountered demanding scenes that enhanced the film’s realism.

The soundtrack was created by Yves Simon, who also wrote and performed the title track "Diabolo Menthe," which became a commercial hit in France.

Release

Peppermint Soda debuted in France on 14 December 1977, achieving commercial success with 70,000 admissions during its first week and securing its status as a beloved classic. It has often been likened to Francois Truffaut's The 400 Blows (1959), another seminal French coming-of-age film from a similar period. The film received the Louis Delluc Prize at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.

Its North American release occurred on 15 July 1979 and garnered favorable reviews. Janet Maslin of The New York Times described it as an "expert, utterly charming movie" distinguished by its innocence and appeal. Director Diane Kurys continued Anne’s story in her 1980 film Cocktail Molotov, set against the backdrop of 1968.

Re-release

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Cohen Film Collection undertook a digital restoration of Peppermint Soda in 2018. Robert Abele from the Los Angeles Times praised the film's timeless charm, particularly noting its authentic depiction of childhood and the profound sisterly relationship that enriches its storyline.

The film’s 2K restored version was made available on Blu-ray as of 12 February 2019.

Reception

Film reviewer John Simon characterized Peppermint Soda as "a pleasant movie, though its more serious moments often fail to resonate."