Winner of the Crystal Bear (Best Film, Children’s Jury, Berlin), as well as an audience award at the Goteborg Film Festival, MY SKINNY SISTER tells the insightful story of two sisters: chubby Stella and teenage Katja. Like many siblings, they have a humorous, love-hate relationship, with squabbles over belongings and personal space. Katja is an obsessive ice-skater, out on the rink day and night preparing for performances. Stella tries to emulate her big sis but spends most of the time butt down on the ice. Beneath Katja’s bright success, however, is the onset of an eating disorder, something her troubled parents ignore and her little sister frets about.
The feature debut of writer-director Sanna Lenken takes a unique approach to the issue of eating disorders, observing the moral dilemma facing an awkward 12-year-old girl when she discovers that her older sister, a beautiful competitive figure skater, has been starving herself in her quest for excellence.
In this assured feature debut, writer-director Sanna Lenken continues on the theme of her 2013 short film Eating Lunch, exploring the subject of eating disorders through a unique lens. Rather than focussing on the affected individual, My Skinny Sister unfolds through the eyes of the protagonist’s sibling.
Like many sisters, Stella (Rebecka Josephson) and Katja (Amy Deasismont) share a nuanced and complicated relationship. Katja, a beautiful and successful competitive figure skater, is disciplined both on and off the ice in order to maintain excellence and the praise of her busy parents. Awkward twelve-year-old Stella is struggling to come into her own as she begins to explore her sexuality, which has manifested in a crush on Katja’s skating coach.
Stella endures the pressures of early adolescence in the shadow of her older sister, who teases her endlessly. Yet when Katja’s moody behaviour intensifies around mealtimes, Stella can’t help but be suspicious about her unhealthy eating habits. When confronted, Katja threatens to reveal Stella’s own secret and puts their sisterly bond on the line in order to keep their parents in the dark. The girls’ bickering and their love for one another intersect as they struggle to maintain outward appearances. Ultimately, Stella is forced to weigh her loyalty against Katja’s deteriorating health as their secret threatens to fracture their already-fragile family.
Newcomer Josephson is a true delight to watch as her Stella subtly shifts from asserting herself amongst her peers to the more timid, yet perceptive, role she assumes around her family. This is complemented by Deasismont’s fine performance as Katja. The dynamic of their onscreen relationship addresses a very crucial issue with warmth and sensitivity. Toronto International Film Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh0tbzLia_8
MY SKINNY SISTER is being presented as part of the Northwest Film Center’s New Scandinavian Cinema series, running October 23 through November 1. Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium Portland Art Museum-1219 SW Park AvenueMy Skinny Sister
My Skinny Sister
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Award-Winning MY SKINNY SISTER Tackles Eating Disorders and Love-Hate Relationship Between Sisters | TRAILER
Winner of the Crystal Bear (Best Film, Children’s Jury, Berlin), as well as an audience award at the Goteborg Film Festival, MY SKINNY SISTER tells the insightful story of two sisters: chubby Stella and teenage Katja. Like many siblings, they have a humorous, love-hate relationship, with squabbles over belongings and personal space. Katja is an obsessive ice-skater, out on the rink day and night preparing for performances. Stella tries to emulate her big sis but spends most of the time butt down on the ice. Beneath Katja’s bright success, however, is the onset of an eating disorder, something her troubled parents ignore and her little sister frets about.
The feature debut of writer-director Sanna Lenken takes a unique approach to the issue of eating disorders, observing the moral dilemma facing an awkward 12-year-old girl when she discovers that her older sister, a beautiful competitive figure skater, has been starving herself in her quest for excellence.
In this assured feature debut, writer-director Sanna Lenken continues on the theme of her 2013 short film Eating Lunch, exploring the subject of eating disorders through a unique lens. Rather than focussing on the affected individual, My Skinny Sister unfolds through the eyes of the protagonist’s sibling.
Like many sisters, Stella (Rebecka Josephson) and Katja (Amy Deasismont) share a nuanced and complicated relationship. Katja, a beautiful and successful competitive figure skater, is disciplined both on and off the ice in order to maintain excellence and the praise of her busy parents. Awkward twelve-year-old Stella is struggling to come into her own as she begins to explore her sexuality, which has manifested in a crush on Katja’s skating coach.
Stella endures the pressures of early adolescence in the shadow of her older sister, who teases her endlessly. Yet when Katja’s moody behaviour intensifies around mealtimes, Stella can’t help but be suspicious about her unhealthy eating habits. When confronted, Katja threatens to reveal Stella’s own secret and puts their sisterly bond on the line in order to keep their parents in the dark. The girls’ bickering and their love for one another intersect as they struggle to maintain outward appearances. Ultimately, Stella is forced to weigh her loyalty against Katja’s deteriorating health as their secret threatens to fracture their already-fragile family.
Newcomer Josephson is a true delight to watch as her Stella subtly shifts from asserting herself amongst her peers to the more timid, yet perceptive, role she assumes around her family. This is complemented by Deasismont’s fine performance as Katja. The dynamic of their onscreen relationship addresses a very crucial issue with warmth and sensitivity. Toronto International Film Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh0tbzLia_8
MY SKINNY SISTER is being presented as part of the Northwest Film Center’s New Scandinavian Cinema series, running October 23 through November 1. Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium Portland Art Museum-1219 SW Park Avenue
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2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Selects Sweden as Spotlight Country for 5th Passport Program
After successfully traversing India, China, Germany and Mexico, the 2015 Milwaukee Film Festival has selected Sweden as the spotlight country for its fifth annual Passport program. The festival will feature a selection of eight films set in Sweden, with seven of the eight being contemporary films made by female filmmakers.
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2015 TIFF Kids Program Incl. World Premiere of Brad Bird’s The Iron Giant with Jennifer Aniston
The Toronto International Film Festival will present an international selection of family-friendly films as part of the 2015 TIFF Kids program. The lineup opens a world of cultural perspectives for young festival-goers, presenting everything from animated adventures to touching coming-of-age stories. The 2015 TIFF Kids program boasts the world premiere of the remastered and expanded Brad Bird classic The Iron Giant with performances from Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr.
The Boy and the Beast (Bakemono no ko)
Mamoru Hosoda, Japan International Premiere
A young boy in modern-day Tokyo stumbles into an alternate dimension and becomes the apprentice to a bearlike warrior, in this stunning animated fantasy from writer-director Mamoru Hosoda. Cast includes Koji Yakusho and Aoi Miyazaki. Recommended for ages 11 and up.
My Skinny Sister (Min lilla syster)
Sanna Lenken, Sweden/Germany Canadian Premiere
Just as Stella enters the exciting world of adolescence, she discovers that her big sister and role model Katja is hiding an eating disorder. The disease slowly tears the family apart. A story about jealousy, love and betrayal told with warmth, depth and laughter. Starring Rebecka Josephson, Amy Deasismont and Annika Hallin. Recommended for ages 11 and up.
Phantom Boy
Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, France/Belgium North American Premiere
From the Academy Award-nominated directors of A Cat in Paris comes a thrilling new adventure. An 11-year-old boy named Leo, becomes an unlikely superhero when he discovers that he has the ability to leave his body and fly through walls. When a nefarious gangster takes control of New York’s power supply, only he can save the city. Cast includes Audrey Tautou, Édouard Baer and JeanPierre Marielle. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
The Iron Giant: Signature Edition (pictured above)
Brad Bird, USA World Premiere
Remastered and enhanced with two new scenes, the modern animated classic about a young boy befriending a gigantic space robot returns to enchant a new generation of audiences. Cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick, Jr., Vin Diesel and Eli Marienthal. Recommended for ages 7 and up.