We Are the Best! (2013)

Three girls in 1980s Stockholm decide to form a punk band -- despite not having any instruments and being told by everyone that punk is dead.

Director:

Lukas Moodysson

Writers:

Lukas Moodysson, Coco Moodysson (comic book)

Stars:

Mira Barkhammar, Mira Grosin, Liv LeMoyne

13 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mira Barkhammar	...	Bobo
Mira Grosin	...	Klara
Liv LeMoyne	...	Hedvig
Johan Liljemark	...	Kenneth
Mattias Wiberg	...	Roger
Jonatan Salomonsson	...	Elis (as Jonathan Salomonsson)
Alvin Strollo	...	Mackan
Anna Rydgren	...	Bobos mamma
Peter Eriksson	...	Bobos pappa
Charlie Falk	...	Linus
Lena Carlsson	...	Klaras mamma
David Dencik	...	Klaras pappa
Emrik Ekholm	...	Klaras lillebror
Ann-Sofie Rase	...	Hedvigs mamma
Lily Moodysson	...	Hedvigs lillasyster

Storyline

In early-80s' Stockholm, Bobo, an ordinary thirteen-year-old schoolgirl who lives with her divorced mother, takes inspiration from bands like KSMB and Ebba Grön, refusing to accept what others say about Punk being dead. Sharing the same taste in music with her classmate, Klara, and with the help of the talented but introverted eighth-grader, Hedvig, the girls decide to put a band together, getting their hands on musical instruments for the very first time. But, surprisingly, what started as a joke, will soon become a reality--and with a song already in their hands--this aspiring Punk band fuelled by youthful rebellion, will aim for the stars without any concern about what others say, simply because THEY ARE THE BEST.

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Plot Keywords:

1980s | teenage girl | year 1982 | based on graphic novel | based on comic book | 

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Taglines:

Three Girls Vs. The World

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

Sweden Denmark

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

20 June 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

We Are the Best!

Filming Locations:

Södermalm, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,664, 1 June 2014

Gross USA:

$180,590

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,604,273

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film i Väst, Memfis Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

(~1:40:58) At the end of the credits, there is a clarinet solo of an undefined song by Klara's father.

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Quotes

Hedvig: Faith is a choice. Right?
Klara: No.
Hedvig: What do you believe in?
Klara: Well, I don't believe in God. I believe in ketchup.
Hedvig: Best ever!

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Connections

References A Respectable Life (1979)

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Soundtracks

Kär och galen
Written and performed by Ulf Lundell

User Reviews

If I didn't know any better, I would have totally believed it was a documentary (almost)!

'WE ARE THE BEST!': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Swedish-Danish drama flick about three teenage girls, that decide to form a punk band together; in 1982 Stockholm. It stars a cast of mostly unknowns; including Mira Barkhammar, Mira Grosin and Liv LeMoyne (as the three leads). It was written and directed by Lukas Moodysson and it's based on the 2008 graphic novel 'Never Goodnight'; by Coco Moodysson (the director's wife). The film received mostly rave reviews and it's appeared on many American critics' 2014 Top 10 lists. I found it to be inspiring and beautifully natural.

Bobo (Barkhammar) and Klara (Grosin) are two 13-year-old girls, growing up in 1982 Stockholm. They're outsiders at their school, due to their androgynous appearance and love for punk rock music; which many consider a 'dead art form'. They decide to form a band, despite not knowing how to play any instruments, as a way of rebelling against popular culture. Later they enlist a Christian girl named Hedvig (LeMoyne), from their school, to help them learn how to play chords and sing songs. Hedvig plays classical guitar, very well, and she's also a social outcast. The three girls form a beautiful team.

The movie is very impressive; in how it captures youth so realistically. The dialogue is really believable; and the three lead performances are super natural. If I didn't know any better, I would have totally believed it was a documentary (almost). The directing is completely fitting to the material and the story is beautifully inspiring. What a great movie for all kids, of almost any age, to see. Especially social outsiders and those that love punk music. The soundtrack is also totally awesome! I highly recommend it; to kids and adults alike.

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