The only debut feature world premiering in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, “Wild Diamond” is poised to be a highlight of this year’s roster. In the film, promising French director Agathe Riedinger tackles timely themes such as the hyper-sexualization of women and rape culture through the story of Liane, a 19-year old woman from a broken family whose dream is to take part in a reality show called “Miracle Island.” The movie expands on “Waiting for Jupiter,” Riedinger’s critically acclaimed 2018 short.

The long-gestating “Wild Diamond” is produced by Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora at Paris-based Silex Films and is represented in international markets by Pyramide International. Ahead of the movie’s world premiere, Riedinger discussed the genesis of the project and her own fascination with reality TV, as well as her process for casting and working with talented non-professionals such as Malou Khebizi, who is in nearly every frame of the movie.