Youth In Revolt

In using this title, I do not refer to the 2009 Michael Cera-Miguel Arteta comedy, but to this little-known Danish film from the 70's. "You Are Not Alone" is as plausible as that film was far-flung, and it stars little known actors, many of whom were never cast in a major role again, as it's characters.

Set at a dull boarding school in the in-it's-time modern Denmark, it features a cast of teens and tweens who come up with alternative ways to entertain themselves, not all of them wholesome.

Among the conflict between rebellious students and the authoritarian, my-way-or-beat-it headmaster(Ove Sprogøe,) a relationship blossoms between the headmaster son, Kim (Peter Bjerg,) and Kim (Anders Agensø,) and older, more experienced student. Bo, that transcends the boundaries of an ordinary boyhood bond.

Kim goes to a school separate from the one his father runs and his encouraged by his parents to spend more time with his classmates, but he is drawn into a power struggle between kids and teachers when a rebellious student posts T&A pictures of, uh, ungarbed women in the dorm bathroom.

The headmaster, furious, expels the youth right before vacation and prepares to send him back to a broken home., which enrages many of the members of the school (students and teachers alike,) who feel the establishment is the boy's last chance at graduation.

The film features a lot of locker room teenage nudity, which seems to make a point rather than try to arouse and exploit, and caused controversy in it's time. Boys are shown more often shirtless than naked, save a shower scene between Bo and Kim, which is mostly innocent and minimally gross and off-putting.

The boys' performances are for the most part decent and natural; just don't expect Oscar-Worthy child acting. My favorite character is Kim, who conveys the gap between childhood and adulthood, and finds it hard to keep his new secret.

I found the music from Danish pop-star Sebastian a little repetitive, but nevertheless good. I never heard of Sebastian prior to watching the move, but his songs are nevertheless dreamy and pleasant. The movie implies that children need direction, not dictation, which is an idea that stirs controversy in me.

On one hand, who wants 'herr headmaster' in charge. On the other, considering the way some of the students act, it's no wonder the kids aren't running the house.





6/10