WE ARE THE BEST/ VI AR BAST

Sweden, 2013, 102 minutes, Colour.
Mira, Barkhanmmar, Mira Grosin, Liv Le Moyne.
Directed by Lucas Moodyson.

1. Sweden in the 1980s, the behaviour of adults, parents, their lives, problems, the touch of mockery in their presentation? The contrast with the girls, their place in their families? Close to parents, but difficulties?

2. The memories of punk rock, the range of songs, the performances?

3. This film as a girl’s story, their age, interests, styles, appearance, music?

4. The initial focus on Bobo, her mother’s 40th birthday party, relationship with her mother, with Lasse, her decision to leave, going to bed, listening to the music, phoning Klara, Klara’s parents and their shouting? School, friendships? Going to the Centre, the boys’ band rehearsing, the girls putting in their name to the space, the authorities having to oust the boys, their being upset, Bobo and Klara, the instruments, starting to play, getting into the rhythms, success? Bobo and her tenderness towards her mother?

5. The girls, their look, androgynous? The punk look and the hair? The two different personalities? Complementary? The encounter with Hedvig her family? Her being taller, quieter? Her joining in the group? Discussions, playing of instruments? The bonding?

6. The boy band, the girls seeing the write-up, the phone call, the decision to visit, only two boys there, Klara and her interest in Elis, Bobo and her being quiet? The two boys and their discussions about the girls? On the roof, Bobo upset, walking dangerously? Bobo later ringing Elis, coming over with the record, the visit as a betrayal of Klara? Klara finding out, upset, the fight, Hedwig moderating? In the subway, becoming friends again?

7. The Christmas celebration, Bobo and her wanting to contact Elis, his not being at home? The break?

8. Going to the performance in the other town, the audience, the girls playing, the booing, the attack, the fight? On the bus going home?

9. The two men at the Centre, the rules, the helping the girls, with the performance at the other town, on the bus coming home?

10. The future for these two girls? The final credits? (And the irony of Klara’s father and his playing the instrument on the toilet?).