Turn me on, dammit!

Turn Me On, Dammit! I’m thinking of moving into TIFF Bell Lightbox. I spend so much time there because they dare to bring in unusual well executed films. You may not like them all but each film is superior in some way. You can go without nay previous knowledge and feel confident you are going to see a film of great quality. There are 5 cinemas and the viewing is perfect in each auditorium. This film from Norway is a delightful tale with many layers. 15 year old Alma is attractive and lives in a small town in Norway. She is coming to terms with her sexuality. In fact she is somewhat obsessed. She masturbates at every chance. The film opens with the sounds of Alma pleasuring herself on the kitchen floor. The dog stares quietly and it is actually quite humorous. Alma has a ‘prickly’ relationship with hr mother although you feel the two really love each other. Her mother is obviously very annoyed when she receives a large bill for payment because Alma was having phone sex. Alma blatantly tells her mother she is horny. There is always the neighbor who is looking out of her window and watching what is going on. In fact she makes notes of everything she sees. Alma has two close friends. Saralou, a chain smoker, talks about moving to Texas to fight against the death penalty. Ingrid is constantly smearing her lips with gloss. She is humorless and doer. Alma and Artur eye each other in class and seem to have an affinity for one another. One day he exposes his penis and rubs her thigh. Alma makes the big mistake of telling her friend who then tells everyone. Of course the talk spreads and she becomes a laughing stock. She feels alienated. Artur denies it. She becomes known as ‘Dick Alma.’ This is before social media. Yet, we can see the damage of spreading gossip and making fun of someone. All of this deeply affects Alma and her relationship with her friends. Alma is coming to terms with her sexuality. She is also maturing and trying out new experiences. The film does an excellent job of portraying the young characters and making them all so believable. Everyone seems to learn a few lessons and Alma matures in the process. Apparently this is a first feature film for Jannicke Systad Jacobsen. Her previous work has been with documentaries. This is a fine film. The cinematography was also noteworthy. There are many views of the school bus traveling around mountainous roads. The scenery is lovely. The film seems to be in muted tones which give a delicate look to the young people. Alma looks like an angel at times. At other times we see her drinking a lot of beer, smoking and often masturbating. It is never crude. The director has taken pains to portray these maturing students in a believable way.