★★★★☆ Swedish director Lisa Aschan's remarkably assured debut feature She Monkeys (2011) is a hormonally-charged, coming-of-age drama, depicting the conflict between two competitive teenage girls, and stars Mathilda Paradeiser, Linda Molin and Isabella Lindquist.
On the cusp of maturity, 15-year-old Emma (Paradeiser) lives with her younger sister Sara (Lindquist) and their farther Ivan (Sergej Merkusjev). She's about to embark on a series of fascinating encounters that will ultimately mould her into the sort of woman she'll become. She Monkeys opens with this staunch, empowered adolescent training her obedient Border Collie using a clicker. She barely says a word other than sharp, harsh commands towards her incredibly compliant, four legged companion but instantly we can see that Emma is a girl who positively revels in being in control.
Emma meets Cassandra (Molin), a confident, beautiful and incredibly nubile girl whilst trying out for the local equestrian gymnastic team. The two quickly bond...
On the cusp of maturity, 15-year-old Emma (Paradeiser) lives with her younger sister Sara (Lindquist) and their farther Ivan (Sergej Merkusjev). She's about to embark on a series of fascinating encounters that will ultimately mould her into the sort of woman she'll become. She Monkeys opens with this staunch, empowered adolescent training her obedient Border Collie using a clicker. She barely says a word other than sharp, harsh commands towards her incredibly compliant, four legged companion but instantly we can see that Emma is a girl who positively revels in being in control.
Emma meets Cassandra (Molin), a confident, beautiful and incredibly nubile girl whilst trying out for the local equestrian gymnastic team. The two quickly bond...
- 10/15/2011
- by Daniel Green
- CineVue
She-Monkeys
Director: Lisa Aschan
Writers: Lisa Aschan, Josefine Adolfsson
In Spartacus, Crassus and Antoninus coyly discuss sexual preferences in terms of snails and oysters. When it comes to Sapphic teen dramas centred on the world of sport, it might simply boil down to a choice between synchronised swimming and equestrian vaulting. While Céline Sciamma’s Water Lilies was all lingering poolside gazes and hypnotic synthesisers, Lisa Aschan’s equally impressive She-Monkeys treads a much darker line between desire and athletic rivalry.
She-Monkeys begins with Emma (Mathilda Paradeiser) trying out for the vaulting team on which Cassandra (Linda Molin) is the undoubted star. Blonde, poised and supremely confident, Cassandra initiates the new recruit into this highly competitive world and helps with her training. But their growing intimacy is undercut with both recklessness and cruelty. Meanwhile, single dad Ivan (Sergej Merkusjev) has his own problems dealing with the burgeoning sexuality of Emma’s younger sister,...
Director: Lisa Aschan
Writers: Lisa Aschan, Josefine Adolfsson
In Spartacus, Crassus and Antoninus coyly discuss sexual preferences in terms of snails and oysters. When it comes to Sapphic teen dramas centred on the world of sport, it might simply boil down to a choice between synchronised swimming and equestrian vaulting. While Céline Sciamma’s Water Lilies was all lingering poolside gazes and hypnotic synthesisers, Lisa Aschan’s equally impressive She-Monkeys treads a much darker line between desire and athletic rivalry.
She-Monkeys begins with Emma (Mathilda Paradeiser) trying out for the vaulting team on which Cassandra (Linda Molin) is the undoubted star. Blonde, poised and supremely confident, Cassandra initiates the new recruit into this highly competitive world and helps with her training. But their growing intimacy is undercut with both recklessness and cruelty. Meanwhile, single dad Ivan (Sergej Merkusjev) has his own problems dealing with the burgeoning sexuality of Emma’s younger sister,...
- 10/13/2011
- by Susannah
- SoundOnSight
She Monkeys / Apflickorna Trailer. Lisa Aschan‘s She Monkeys / Apflickorna (2011) movie stars Mathilda Paradeiser, Linda Molin, Isabella Lindquist, Sergej Merkusjev, and Adam Lundgren. She Monkeys / Apflickorna‘s plot synopsis: “When Emma meets Cassandra, they initiate a relationship filled with physical and psychological challenges. Emma does whatever it takes to master the rules of the game. Lines are crossed and the stakes get higher and higher. Despite this, Emma can’t resist the intoxicating feeling of total control.”
The fact that both of the girls are in competition with each other yet one girl seems to hate and like the other girl at the same time will make for a cool dynamic on screen.
I found the tone of the film to be far closer to Celine Schiamma’s Water Lilies than that of Moodysson’s Fukcing Amal (Show Me Love). It’s tightly wound 80 minutes is centered around the budding...
The fact that both of the girls are in competition with each other yet one girl seems to hate and like the other girl at the same time will make for a cool dynamic on screen.
I found the tone of the film to be far closer to Celine Schiamma’s Water Lilies than that of Moodysson’s Fukcing Amal (Show Me Love). It’s tightly wound 80 minutes is centered around the budding...
- 8/9/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
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