A Tale of Unrequited Love: "Oslo Stories: Dreams" Touches Down in Theaters
Cinema News: Award-winning film "Dreams" from Oslo, which triumphed at the Berlinale, will now be screening in local theaters. - Cinema-bound winner of Berlinale's "Oslo Stories: Dreams" revealed
Dive into the heart-wrenching journey of first love, unrequited longing, and the search for tender connections - themes that dominate this year's Berlinale winner, "Oslo Stories: Dreams". This production is a stunning addition to Dag Johan Haugerud’s trilogy that investigates love and sexuality, with a focus on the human experience.
Mark your calendars for May 8th, as cinemas will be screening this Golden Bear winner. Having already graced our screens with the first installment, "Oslo Stories", the anticipation for this latest installment is palpable.
What's the story all about?
The coming-of-age narrative (titled "Drømmer") revolves around Johanne, who develops feelings for her French teacher, Selome Emnetu. However, her affection remains unreturned. Johanne, a 17-year-old portrayed by Ella Øverbye, channels her longing by penning down her feelings about her experiences. Her encounters with the teacher extend beyond the classroom, as she visits her home to learn knitting among other things. Johanne's detailed descriptions initially shock Johanne's mother and grandmother but soon they appreciate the literary value of her work, which paves the way for Johanne's first literary success.
Behind the Scenes
In an interview during the Berlinale in February, Haugerud admitted that he sought to draw upon memories from his own youth and the feeling of falling in love for the first time. These memories, he added, have a profound impact and are engraved into our consciousness[2]. He questioned how these memories might appear if revisited with the wisdom of age.
Who is this film for?
True lovers of coming-of-age stories will be enthralled by "Dreams". The film poses intriguing questions on the boundaries between reality and fantasy in the relationship between Johanne and her teacher. Is Johanne's work mere teenage fiction, or did actual events transpire between them?
The mother-daughter dynamics, featuring Johanne's mother and grandmother, resonate deeply as they contemplate if Johanne is penning her experiences from a victom's perspective or if her work is even feminist. Moreover, they are forced to confront their own unfulfilled desires[3].
The film's narrative style is unique, often evoking reminders of a theatrical, illustrated audio play with its literarily-inclined storytelling approach[2]. Even though the pacing might feel leisurely at times, Johanne's mother and grandmother's engaging dialogues provide entertaining diversions.
Upcoming in the Trilogy
Before "Dreams", the trilogy began with "Oslo Stories: Love", which released in German cinemas on April 17th. This film narrates a chance encounter between a doctor and a gay nurse on a night ferry.
The trilogy will draw to a close with "Oslo Stories: Longing", set to release on May 22nd. This final installment follows two chimney sweeps in a monogamous marriage, yet they find themselves in situations that challenge their traditional views on sexuality and gender roles.
All the parts of the trilogy feature independent stories and fresh characters, with each part meticulously crafted for the actors[1]. Filmed consecutively, it's intriguing to note that the scripts were written years ago, specifically tailored for the actors in each production.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of animals and the environment, aligning it with the narrative that unfolds in "Oslo Stories: Dreams", a trilogy from Dag Johager Haugerud that delves into love and sexuality. If you enjoy thought-provoking coming-of-age stories, add "Dreams" to your list of must-watch movies-and-tv in the realm of entertainment.
In the near future, Haugerud is set to release the final installment of his trilogy, "Oslo Stories: Longing", which features a intriguing narrative about two chimney sweeps in a monogamous marriage, yet their traditional views on sexuality and gender roles are challenged. This trilogy can be likened to a literary work, with each part crafted as meticulously as chapters in a trilogy of novels.
As you anticipate the screening of "Dreams" on the big screen, take a break from your work on a proposed environmental directive, and lose yourself in the trilogy that unfolds the different facets of unrequited love and the human experience, similar to the feelings echoed in the movies-and-tv that we all enjoy during our leisure time.
Several years ago, Haugerud wrote the scripts for each production in the trilogy with specific actors in mind, just as a writer carefully chooses the words to craft a compelling narrative, showing how art imitates life in more ways than one.
