De Rantau described the film as a visual essay, which had shot using the French theory of "outer cinema".

French theory has morphed into life on the Internet.

Under the influence of French literary theory that held sway at the time, American anthropology took what scholars refer to as a "linguistic turn."

four bored girls decided to have some fun with art and French feminist theory.

Some of them went to university when French theory was very fashionable in academic circles (sometimes for careerist purposes as you point out, but not only).

It didn't need French theory to die.

Moral of the story: Don't reference trendy French critical theory that you haven't actually read.

"My problem is that I have students who know the latest French theory, but they've never heard of Brancusi," she said.

If the French theory is correct, such countermeasures would be impractical.

"Ava" is also openly informed by contemporary French feminist literary theory, which argues that women must find their own words.