Herman und der König von Belgien

Herman repackages childhood angst into adult angst. This may be the most mainstream of Lars Saabye Christensen's works to make the transition to film, and yet it is most outstanding. For full disclosure, I did translate the novel for US publication, but the film exceeded my expectations. Like Lars' characters in "Brennede blomster" and "Ti kniver i hjertet" ("Cross My Heart"), they seem alive, real, and I would guess, based on his life. Herman's speaking of himself in the third person reflects this, I think: the everyman facing everyday without everything he needs, but a dispassionate spectator to what happens while still yet fully involved. Laugh and cry on the edge of a knife.

In Norway, the boy Herman Fulkt (Anders Danielsen Lie) lives with his father (Bjørn Floberg), who is a crane operator; his mother (Elisabeth Sand); and his grandfather (Frank Robert) that is very ill but gives attention to his grandson. Herman is bullied at school but the red- haired mate Ruby (Linn Aronsen) likes him. When Herman goes to the barber shop to cut his hair, the barber Tjukken (Harald Heide-Steen Jr.) asks to talk to his mother. Then she goes with him to the doctor and soon Herman learns that he is losing his hair and will become bald very soon. How will Herman react to the news?

"Herman" is a Norwegian drama with the cruel story of a boy that is bullied at school and learns that he will become bald. He also loses his beloved grandfather in Christmas. The realistic story shows how he reacts to the bad news. In spite of the sad theme, there are also a few funny moments showing pranks that were usual in the childhood. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Herman – Aprendendo a Viver" ("Herman – Learning to Live")