You Are Not Alone

Anyone who finds this film shocking, exploitive or revolting doesn't have a closed mind; they have a problem. This film is very reminiscent of a French film version of the novel Les amitiers particulaires shot in about 1958 I think. For anyone boy or girl who has had a crush on a member of their own gender, these films tell it all. The boys in You Are Not Alone were luckier than me:-) I was absolutely nuts about some of my friends at that age and extremely attracted to them physically. Unfortunately they weren't as smitten with me as I with them. A difficult time ensued for several years, confusion and hormones raged and reigned and certain scars remain. So, it's nice to see a film where boy meets boy, and boy gets boy. Maybe it would just be a passing thing. Who knows? I think sometimes that people who rail all wholier than thou against the type of relationships depicted in these films should be subjected to unjust accusations and then come up against a gang of gay bashers. Hopefully no harm but a lesson learned and eyes opened would come of it.

Hugh

I would like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film, although the subtitling on my copy lagged a little nearer the end.

It was a charming view of life at a Danish boarding school where two boys meet for the first time, and their friendship slowly evolves into something more. I wish that more films were like this and, having just finished watching it, I want nothing more than to start it again and watch it over, however I have to go out in 5 minutes, so I shall have to wait for tomorrow.

My only criticism is that the plot seemed to wander and be a little disordered at times. It had some, though fun, unnecessary sub-plots that could, to be honest, have been cut in order to have some more development of the two main characters, who were so well acted by the two boys.

I live every day with all the negativity that surrounds being openly homosexual in High School (I'm 14 and gay) and I can only say that I wish my own peers could be as accepting of me, and others like me as the other boys in this film, however, in our British (and even more in the US) society today, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding homosexuality and I feel that even today, thirty years after this film was originally released, most of the people I know would not be ready to see it, and that is a terrible shame as it is a fantastic film.

This is a great movie, and you will either walk away with a warm fuzzy feeling or you will simply start the move over and watch it again if, unlike me, you have the time.

Excellent movie, if you have an open mind. The two boy's relationship grows in a very innocent manner. Even if you are heterosexual, you can probably identify with the feeling of your first infatuation for another person and all the little moments together that seemed special. This movie deals with first love, of another kind, in an extremely tasteful manner. My only regret is that, in America, people will not tolerate movies like this one. It makes it very hard to hear of, and also see movies with such an explosive subject. I would recommend it, if you can find it.

You Are Not Alone is an extraordinary film and one would not be surprised if it became a classic. The characters although not fully developed, much like the script, are nonetheless exceptional in that it sets the foundation for other similar works. Two young gay boys searching for understanding and acceptance, find love in a Danish private school. The film itself is sketchy with undeveloped nude scenes and hampered with an equally fragmented plot. Still rising above the script are the young actors Anders Agenso and Peter Bjerg who add a certain innocent vitality to an otherwise humdrum story. You'll enjoy the final sensual scene. It's the stuff dreams are made of. *****

A film that can't be viewed from a cinematographic point. Just because it's not in technique where this film achieves something. As in any film, what gives it a strong value is the story it tells.

Due Er Ikke Alene is a wonderful escape to a time lost forever. A film about life. About misery. About love and happiness. About senslessness and about achievement. About systems and counter-systems. About people who can be under extraordinary

circumstances, and be as extraordinary as they come. About challenges and victories. About sex and about understanding.

About imagination, creation and clashes. About authority and reason.

Maybe not all these things are seen at first. They are the background. The solid background that gives credibility to the characters and power to the story.

A dreamer like Aske, puts the educational system in the limelight and leads the rest to discover why young people can think and do. Why there are reasons in life more important than just "living my life". Why the others are seldom regarded as the very motivation to do anything, and, when they become part of our lives, our view of our own can change entirely.

A naïve and deeply enchanting Bo, who only will do good. The one who makes this story so moving and so deep. His emotions, his beliefs, his feelings are rooted in a wonderful soul that cares about his friends. Someone always available to give a hand. With firm convictions and reassuring when anyone needs him. The peacemaker.

A beautiful and amazing Kim. His honesty, his absolute confidence in love and his smile make of him Bo's natural friend. What really makes this character glow is his smile. He is happy with life, even when he finds the normal bumps that lead others to despair or level things out with anger. He enjoys the small things. The ones that count. From a bit of fresh air to a bottle of wine (which, he discovers, should not be abused).

Most interesting is Ole's role. His character turns the balance of the whole story into something worth studying for any teacher, school system, etc. Ole is alone. And he needs the care provided by his peers. And, eventually, even with his bully ways, he mends his life and comes to terms with the world.

The seventies were times of amazing richness, and this is shown openly here. Maybe one of the issues that make your eyes shine is the open difference between what led to some modern educational ideas and how they clashed with the old ones. This was Denmark, and it was the seventies. The final act is freakin' awesome.

Watch this film. You won't be disappointed. Watch it thinking about the story, and this time (oh, it's me saying this... I can't believe it), just this time, forget about cinematography.