WE ARE THE BEST! (VI ÄR BÄST!) World Cinema

Skip the neon leg warmers, it’s 1982 Stockholm and punk is thriving by means of intrepid Klara and ingenious Bobo. The two middle school outcasts spend their days defiantly resisting femme stereotypes with their Mohawk haircuts and political activism. Taking a stand against (heavy metal) noise pollution and their pointless gym class, Klara and Bobo form a band with sparse instruments provided by the local recreation center and immediately recruit the very lonely and very Christian guitar-skilled, Hedvig. In between song-writing sessions and band practice, the girls encounter parents, alcohol, parties and the spiked-haired boy that will change everything between them. Director Lukas Moodysson successfully presents a refreshing and optimistic story that exhibits the significance of preteen friendships. Adapted from a semi-autographical graphic novel by Moodysson’s wife, Coco, WE ARE THE BEST outshines familiar coming-of-age conventions by crafting strong females and empowering revolutions.