Berlinale’s ‘Little Trouble Girls,’ Which Explores ‘the Awkward Relationship With Sexuality, Sin and Feelings of Guilt,’ Picked Up by Heretic (EXCLUSIVE)

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Based in Athens, sales agent Heretic has incorporated Slovenian director Urška Djukić’s “Little Trouble Girls” – the opening film of Berlin Film Festival’s Perspectives section (focusing on first-time fiction feature films) – into their lineup. The trailer for this movie can be found below.

The story revolves around shy 16-year-old Lucia, who becomes a member of her Catholic school’s all-female choir. There she makes friends with Ana-Maria, a charismatic senior student known for her playful nature. However, during a weekend of rigorous rehearsals at a rural convent, Lucia finds herself drawn to a mysterious restoration worker, which strains her relationship with Ana-Maria and the other choir members. As she explores new environments and grapples with her emerging feelings, Lucia starts to challenge her own beliefs and principles, causing discord within the choir.

In his statement, Djukić expressed that he initially focused on the suppressed female voice, a topic frequently overlooked in history. This investigation subsequently led him to the complex interplay between sexuality, sin, and feelings of guilt. His aim was to examine how a young person discovers their inner strength through a delicate character who has been molded by societal norms that view sin as prevalent.

During my upbringing, I grappled with feelings of guilt related to instinctive behaviors due to the influence of traditional Catholic values instilled by my mother. Although not overtly religious, she held a strict notion of what it meant to be a ‘good girl.’ As I matured, I came to understand that these ideas, which have been passed down through generations of women, including myself, are excessively rigid and clumsy, especially when it comes to issues like body image, shame, and sexuality.

In ‘Little Trouble Girls,’ my intention was to delve into the enigmas of senses as means for self-discovery. I believe that the persistent stigma surrounding sexuality has hindered us from fully grasping or utilizing its immense potential. Our bodies possess an innate wisdom, directing us if we pay close attention. The notion of sinful sexuality and the paucity of education on the topic serves as a crafty means to disconnect individuals from their inner reservoir of power. It’s crucial that we learn to heed and rely on our intuition, even when it clashes with societal expectations. Those deeply in touch with their bodies are less susceptible to manipulation because they trust their internal compass more than external commands.

Back in 2019, I found myself graced with a spot at the Cannes Cinéfondation Residency – their 39th edition, no less! It was during this time that I began nurturing my brainchild, “Little Trouble Girls.” Fast forward to December 2023, and it was humbling to receive recognition as the best work-in-progress project at Les Arcs Film Festival. As a movie enthusiast, these moments serve as fuel for the creative fire burning within.

In the realm of film, I’ve been fortunate enough to be associated with Djukić’s latest short masterpiece, “Granny’s Sexual Life.” This captivating work has garnered more than 50 accolades, among them the European Film Award for Best Short Film in 2022 and the prestigious 2023 Cesar Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Before this, my journey with Djukić led me to “The Right One,” a segment of the omnibus film “SEE Factory Sarajevo Mon Amour” that debuted at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2019.

Ioanna Stais, who is in charge of sales and acquisitions at Heretic, expressed her thoughts: “The film ‘Little Trouble Girls’ is a thoughtful and powerful examination of desire, friendship, and faith. It tells its story with an unusual level of sensitivity and courage. The movie seamlessly combines intense emotion with a distinctive viewpoint, making it captivating to both audiences and industry professionals. With this impressive debut, Urška Djukić establishes herself as a fresh and powerful female voice in the filmmaking world, one that is definitely worth keeping an eye on in the coming years.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that “Little Trouble Girls” was crafted by the dynamic duo Jozko Rutar and Miha Černec, under the banner of Spok Films from Slovenia. This production was a collaborative effort, also involving Staragara IT from Italy, 365 Films from Croatia, Non Aligned Films from Serbia, and both Nosorogi and OINK from Slovenia. To round off the team, Sister from France served as an associate producer on this project.

The movie is funded by the Slovenian Film Center, Eurimages, RTV Slovenija, Viba Film, the Ministry of Culture – Cinema and Audiovisual Directorate in Italy, FVG Film Fund, FVG Film Commission, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Centre Serbia, Re-act, Region Nouvelle Aquitaine, and Creative Europe Media’s support.

The movie is funded by Arri’s International Support Program and the GO Nova Gorica/Gorizia, as it holds the title of European Capital of Culture 2025.

This individual is managing global sales for the IFFR Tiger Competition movie “Wind, Talk to Me,” and serves as a producer on the Berlinale Competition film “Hot Milk,” which marks the directorial debut of Rebecca Lenkiewicz (screenwriter of “Ida,” “Disobedience,” “She Said”). The lead roles in this production are played by Vicky Krieps, Emma Mackey, and Fiona Shaw.

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2025-01-22 11:16