| SHOW ME LOVE Director: Luka Moodysson "Of course, we didn't expect that. But it's great. When we filmed in Åmål there was this absurd rumor that we were making a film about lesbians, and the gouvernours got very suspicious. Nowadays they're grateful because half of the world visits Åmål, and suddenly they have tourists. And there's a plate at the entrance of the village: 'Welcome to Fucking Åmål'." Lukas Moodysson from Film- Zoom The original title of this film was Fucking Åmål but since most here would mistake the name "Åmål" with a person rather than what it is (a small town in Sweden) the title was changed. It may too have been changed because the film’s central subject matter is about two teenage girls who fall in love and audiences, no doubt just like the 'gouvernour (sic), would think they were going to see lesbian pornography. But in fact it’s neither provocative nor sexy; instead it is a pleasant coming-of-age drama. Show Me Love has been a smash in Sweden – where young adult films are popular— boasting admissions that are only second to Titanic. But despite such popularity it’s getting a release here, mainly because of the lesbian angle; by Strand Releasing a company on the forefront of gay cinema. Similiar to the indie success a few years back of The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, the film is about the unlikely coupling of the "most popular" girl in school with the "new girl" in the neighborhood. Elin (Alexandra Dahlstrom) a short blonde who most of the young men are enamored with makes a bet with her friend that she can kiss Agnes (Rebecca Liljeberg) the new girl whom many suspect of being a lesbian. Elin succeeds then runs off into the night to some party but as the night wears on she not only feels guilty for being so mean spirited but feels that she actually enjoyed the kiss. She returns to apologize to Agnes and over the course of the evening they fall in love. The movie – directed by Lukas Moodysson – is accurate at creating the angst, excitement, disappointments and joys of being a teenager in love. Director Moodysson emphasizes the stark emotions by using many close-ups to show the characters' thoughts and reactions to all the world around them. The movie is also pretty successful – at first – at getting to the heart of why the two cannot be together. First, because most teens are susceptible to peer pressure and their love is anathema in the eyes of everyone especially their close friends and family and second because they are so young that their love is possibly just an infatuation. The film presents many questions and dilemmas but ultimately sidesteps them leaving them open and deciding to stick with the consummation of their love as being the ultimate answer. Because of this the film can easily be labeled "cute", which may leave some – who want a more realistic conclusion – skeptical; rather than pleased and refreshed. - Matt Langdon |