It Felt Like Love

Lila, a fourteen-year-old girl, lives in Brooklyn with her widowed father. She grapples with the complexities of adolescence and yearns to understand intimacy as she observes her more experienced friends.

Lila and her friend Chiara, both enrolled in the same dance class, look forward to an important performance during the summer. Their excitement hints at their shared passion for dance and the desire for validation.

Chiara, who has had experiences with intimacy, sets a standard for Lila. In contrast, Lila feels like a third wheel in Chiara's relationship with her boyfriend Patrick, which influences her understanding of romantic relationships.

While at the beach, Lila meets Sammy, an older boy known for his adventurous spirit. She becomes infatuated with him, marking a shift in her quest for maturity and validation from older males.

Lila begins to regularly visit the arcade where Sammy works, trying to impress him and boost her image among her friends. Despite her efforts, Sammy remains indifferent, seeing her as just a kid.

In an attempt to gain Sammy's attention, Lila ventures to his apartment alone. There, she finds herself surrounded by his friends, leading to an unsettling situation that pushes her boundaries.

At Sammy's apartment, his friends make inappropriate jokes about Lila, testing her naivety and understanding of consent. Lila laughs along, perhaps unaware of the implications and danger lurking in the situation.

After the troubling episode at Sammy's apartment, the narrative leaves viewers questioning Lila's experiences. There is uncertainty regarding whether she engaged in any sexual activities that night, highlighting the complexities of youth.

As summer nears its end, Lila and Chiara focus on preparing for their dance performance. The preparation period reflects their aspirations and the excitement that comes with pursuing artistic expression.

The film culminates in the performance of Lila and Chiara's dance team, encapsulating their journey through adolescence. The dance serves as a metaphor for the bittersweet complexities of growing up and confronting life's challenges.