Råzone

A realistically told story on youngsters life on edge. About mean girls, flocking up against each other. I wouldn't say this is everyday life everywhere, but somewhere this will be the case, like at this school in a Danish city, presumably Copenhagen.

This is the Danish director Christian E. Christiansen's directorial debut. The story is about a group of 16-year-olds girls turning against one of them, Christina, after a misunderstanding caused by one of the girl's boyfriends, a mean guy, and a little lie following that. Christina's friends conclude that she is having an affair, and starts giving her hell.

This is strong stuff, and probably the likes which will get parents chocked, like it did after the premiere in Denmark. Great play all over, and filmed in a realistically documentary style with hand-held camera, though not very shaky, I found this engaging to watch.

A strong coming of age story, not afraid to show what's happening out there in the jungle out there we let our kids every day. Troubled youths making things worse by making it escalate into something quite out of control with theft, drugs, sex and bullying. Well worth a watch if you want to know what's going on out there.

Christina is a part of a tough girl group, with her best friends, Cecilie, Trine and Pernille. They live for the weekends where they gatecrash party's, get drunk and experiment with drugs and sex. In a mix of being bored, and lack of money, the girls rob a locker room, Christina is seen by an old lady, and in her confession, she has to give in the other girls. Suddenly she is no longer in the inner circle of the group, she's and outcast, and a snitch! That, and the fact that Cecilie thinks Chistina has something going on with her boyfriend, drives them out in a crazy drama of revenge. It all ends with violent encounter.

I think it is a very god movie! It tells a great story, and in a fantastic way. The music in the movie is also great, and very well chosen, for the different scenes. I especially like Street Corner Poets.

Well, I have had the privilege of viewing a pre-screening of this intriguing film. I don't usually comment on these things but I just couldn't stop thinking about this movie!..I have to say that Råzone really is a great film.

Is it a light-hearted film? NO! Is it for the faint of heart? NO!...what it is, is a deep, thought provoking, spine chilling look into the lives of young people who unfortunately choose to take a wrong turn with their lives.

The lead actors do a bang up job. Stephanie Leon gives such a convincing performance as a relentless bully messed up by her life experience that it's scary! Råzone isn't a mind numbing, shallow, meaningless movie. It's really disturbing but extremely moving and gives insight into why young people can get off track and just how bad things can go!..

P.S. Råzone has an impressive musical score as well!