Sevran, France – A French photographer, Marine Billet, is offering a nuanced portrait of Generation Z through her project, “Reliées” (Connected), exploring the complex transition from adolescence to adulthood and the bonds forged between young women. The work, which began in , utilizes a blend of documentary and staged scenes to capture intimate moments and a burgeoning sense of sisterhood.
Billet, born in and identifying as a millennial, explained her motivation for focusing on the younger generation. “I was driven by a desire to understand what shapes young women today in the construction of their identity,” she stated, as reported in materials related to the project. This desire stemmed from a personal need to connect – to reconcile her past self with her present, to bridge the gap between generations, and to illuminate the often-unseen experiences of young women navigating this pivotal life stage.
The project centers around five young women – Célia, Amaya, Exaucé, Luna, and Amina – discovered through street casting in Sevran, France. Billet emphasized the generosity and openness with which these women embraced the project. Initial contact was established through voice notes and text messages, fostering a surprising level of closeness even before the women met in person. “An immediate bond, a gentle trust fragile, but foundational,” emerged, according to project documentation.
“Reliées” delves into the personal spaces and daily rituals of these women, documenting their bedrooms, clothing choices, and shared anxieties. Billet and her team meticulously reconstructed their worlds, aiming for a fidelity akin to documentary filmmaking. However, the project transcends pure observation, incorporating elements of staging to create a space where vulnerability and connection could flourish.
The core of “Reliées” lies in the sorority that developed amongst the five women during the shoot. Despite being strangers prior to the project, a natural connection emerged, characterized by listening, kindness, and a collective intelligence. Billet attributes this dynamic, in part, to the all-female team involved in the production, creating an environment of attentiveness and care. “Working as a team of women made this rare energy possible this attentiveness, this deep sense of care,” she noted.
The project was not conceived as a quick undertaking. Billet deliberately allowed ample time for genuine connection to develop, for trust to be built, and for a sincere cohesion to emerge. “It wasn’t just a shoot it was a human encounter,” she explained. This emphasis on process reflects a broader trend in contemporary photography, where the relationship between photographer and subject is increasingly recognized as integral to the final work.
The project’s exploration of identity formation resonates with broader discussions about the influence of social media and the challenges faced by young people in the digital age. While “Reliées” doesn’t directly address social media, research suggests that platforms can both facilitate and complicate the development of identity. According to a report by L’Amnésique, social networks can act as “facilitators to the development of identity and to the construction of interpersonal relationships, since the distance offered by being behind a screen appeases the fears related to socialization.”
Billet’s work also touches upon the universal themes of connection and belonging. The act of “reliées” – connecting – is central to the project’s ethos, extending beyond the relationships between the five women to encompass Billet’s own journey of self-discovery and her desire to bridge generational divides. The project’s title, and the act of binding implied within it, suggests a deliberate attempt to create something lasting and meaningful from these fleeting moments of connection.
While the project is rooted in a specific location and focuses on a particular group of young women, its themes of identity, connection, and the transition to adulthood are universally relevant. “Reliées” offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of Generation Z, not as a monolithic entity, but as a collection of individuals navigating the complexities of modern life with resilience, vulnerability, and a growing sense of self.
The project was showcased in and has garnered attention for its sensitive and insightful portrayal of young womanhood. Further information about Marine Billet’s work can be found online, and the project itself is documented on the PhMuseum website.
