Monday Night Cinema

Dreams

(Drømmer)

17-year-old Johanne (Ella Øverbye) becomes infatuated with her charismatic French teacher Johanna (Selome Emnetu). Uncertain whether the teacher’s kindness and affection towards her indicate any romantic intent, Johanne explores her confusing feelings by writing them down as a novella. When Johanne’s protective mother and more liberal grandmother read the manuscript, the three generations of women each contemplate their hopes, dreams and sexuality.

Like the other two entries in Dag Johan Haugerud’s Oslo Stories trilogy (all of which are standalone, thematically-linked films rather than a continuous story), Dreams is an elegant and nuanced exploration of intimate thoughts and emotions. Unfolding largely through fascinating conversations, this is a shrewd and insightful film about the joy, confusion, embarrassment and disappointment of one young woman’s coming-of-age experience.