Film No. 54 (2015) July 25th. 2.15 PM LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.
Charlotte is longing for strong family bond but is she reaching out in the right direction?
Homesick (De naemeste)
We meet beautiful, fragile Charlotte (Ine Marie Wilmann) at a wedding dinner as she makes a nervous speech to acknowledge her friendship with the bride. Charlotte is happy for her soul mate but underneath she cries knowing that she is losing a security anchor, someone she has relied on to keep her on an even keel. From then on we scream out for Charlotte to be loved - but certainly not in the vein she chooses.
Henrik is Charlotte's half brother. They have not been brought up together and suffer from the effects of a lack of any form of family nurture and love. Henrik is older and was abandoned by his self-absorbed mother as an infant. We meet Henrik as a family man, seemingly happy. He tries to ward off Charlotte (she is the child of his mother's next, enduring relationship) who craves re-connection with her half brother. He is however attracted to her and their bonding is understandable considering the loveless nature of their past.
Homesick is but another example of Norway placing an un-abashed mirror up to the mores of life in a very civilized western culture. The relationship that unfolds between these insecure half siblings is very confronting but that's the whole point of the film. We are left to contemplate what might come of two adults paying the price for a childhood where they craved for warmth and recognition and got none.
Wilmann, with her Kate Hudsonesque looks, is perfect in her role as Charlotte. The blending of her gentle demeanor as the dance teacher with her insecure existence adds to our complete care for her. I have loved the Scandinavian approach to relaying human drama to my world during this unique festival. Homesick is confronting but thought provoking, and while the themes have potential to repel an audience, film going purists will luxuriate in the tender way it is made. 9GUMS
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