I’ve been captivated by the story of the Gheorghius family. Mihai, the dad, is a Romanian aeronautical engineer, and his wife, Lisbet – you might recognize her as Renate Reinsve, the wonderful actress from Sentimental Value and A Different Man – is Norwegian. They made a big move with their five kids, including a tiny baby, from Bucharest to a breathtaking village in Norway, all to be near Lisbet’s mother. It’s a small community, and when someone tells them everyone knows everyone, it’s both welcoming and just…true. Even the school principal, Mats, lives right across the street! His daughter, Noora, quickly becomes friends with Elia, the Gheorghius’ oldest, and I found their connection really compelling. However, fitting in isn’t easy for the family. They’re devout Evangelicals with very strict rules for their children, which is quite different from how most people around there raise their kids. It creates tension, and when a teacher notices bruises on Elia during gym class, she feels she has to report it to child protective services. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and I’m deeply invested in seeing how it all unfolds.
