17-year-old Johanne (Ella Øverbye) falls in love with her teacher (Selome Emnetu), who may or may not be open to a relationship.

The best film in Dag Johan Haugerud’s trilogy about love, sex and relationships explores the confusing emotions of a teenager, illustrated by her narration, but also the book she ends up writing. Her story also involves her mother and grandmother, who begin to ponder the earlier romances in their lives. Once again, Haugerud seductively uses Oslo and music for our eyes and ears, but conversations are the film’s backbone.

A gripping, human study of dreams and loneliness, complete with a hilarious Flashdance talk.

2024-Norway. 110 min. Color. Written and directed by Dag Johan Haugerud. Cast: Ella Øverbye (Johanne), Selome Emnetu (Johanna), Ane Dahl Torp (Kristin), Anne Marit Jacobsen (Karin), Andrine Sæther, Ingrid Giæver. 

Trivia: Original title: Drømmer. The other two films in the trilogy are Sex and Love, both released in 2024.

Berlin: Golden Bear. 

Last word: “It’s based, you know, on my own memories of my first love. Because I remember it quite well. I remember it quite vividly, how it was to experience first love when I was maybe 17 or 18, when I really fell in love. And all these memories are part of the script. And when I had written it, I showed it to the actor. And then we talked about it. And she recognizes herself in the lines. So I think it is from my perspective, even if it’s told through her perspective. So it’s a kind of collaboration”. (Haugerud, The Indiependent)