It's a bold move to call your movie We Are The Best!. But Swedish writer-director Lukas Moodysson isn't concerned, as this title perfectly captures the rousing self-confidence of his latest endeavor's spunky heroines. In the trailer above, you can get a sense of these teen girls willfulness, along with the wild energy that has been earning We Are The Best! some serious buzz.
Set in 1982-era Stockholm, We Are The Best! focuses on Bobo (Mira Barkhammar), Kiara (Mira Grosin) and Hedvig (Liv LeMoyne), a trio of 12 to 13-year-old girls who aspire to become the best punk band ever. Their lack of instruments doesn't deter them. The insistence by everyone around them that punk is dead can't kill their passion, nor does society's opinion that punk is for boys. Despite pressure from their peers and parents to give up on their dream, these three know they are the best.
Based on Never Goodnight the graphic novel from his wife Coco Moodysson, We Are The Best! marks Lukas Moodysson's seventh feature film. It's fitting, as teen drama had become his forte. He first won international notice back in 1998 for his directorial feature debut Show Me Love, a celebrated drama that centered on the relationship that blooms two teen girls who couldn't be more different.
Moodysson won international acclaim again in 2002, thanks another teen-centered drama, Lilya 4-Ever. The film followed its titular teen through mean streets of Estonia, where she meets a who promises her a better life and a fresh start in America. It played at a slew of prestigious film festivals, including Venice, Toronto and South By Southwest.
Following in Lilya 4-Ever's footsteps, We Are The Best! has already played at a string of notable festivals, including Toronto's, Miami's, and London's. Now Magnolia is bringing this spirited coming-of-age story to theaters in the U.S. Revel in its release with these stills and posters.
We Are The Best! opens in select theaters on May 30th.
