NINJABABY (Fallteknikk)

NORWAY 2021, 103 min Director Yngvild Sve Flikke

Rakel, a young cartoonist with a messy room and an even messier social life, is surprised when her best friend Ingrid points out the obvious cause of Rakel’s recent body changes: She’s pregnant. Rakel spins out further upon discovering it’s too late to do anything about it. Complicating matters is Mos, the hapless but kind-hearted one-night-stand and presumed father, who becomes yet another unexpected presence in her life. As Rakel flails through decisions with petulant charm, the increasingly (and literally) animated fetus begins to affect her mind as much as her body—even chiming in with opinions on her every move. Enriching the story with illustrations that nod to her graphic-novel source material, director Yngvild Sve Flikke strikes an engaging balance between irreverence and heart. But it’s the choice to let Rakel be as likable as she is caustic that elevates this from raucous comedy to affecting coming-of-age tale. –Drea Clark

In Norwegian with English subtitles

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