2023 CANNES INTERNATIONAL FILM FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Iben (Marie Bya) is a teenager looking for love in all the wrong places. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to find recognition and to be noticed by the boy she likes–but her attempts have failed time and time again. When she inadvertently runs into Oscar (Snorre Kind Monsson), she finds that they have something in common: Tits. A new friendship may be blossoming right before their very eyes–even if they don’t know it yet.
It seems, from the opening moments of Tits, that the point of the film is to express the sentiment that you can find happiness and friendship in the most unlikely of places–even when you aren’t looking. This sentiment is expressed early and often throughout the course of Tits, but Writer-Director Eivind Landsvik approaches this in a subtle fashion. Landsvik never comes right out and says it–and he allows viewers to form their own opinions in this regard. What makes this message so powerful is the fact that everyone will likely come to the same conclusion–even without being coerced. For (I believe) everyone to draw the same conclusions, it’s proof that Landsvik knows what he’s doing and that he’s effective in his journey.
In a film called Tits, it seems obvious that at least some of the film would be sexually charged–and it most definitely is. Sex is the most prominent feature of the film’s story–but it’s presented to viewers in a way that doesn’t make it uncomfortable. The film has couth, it has the ability to present this sort of thing to viewers in a way that doesn’t oversexualize anything, that doesn’t allow things to feel out of place. Part of why Tits is so successful in this regard is the talent of Bya. She’s innocent looking, which really is enough to drive the character–but she’s able to embody innocence as well. She reminds me of every teenager I’ve ever seen. She’s looking for validation (sometimes in the wrong places), but her heart and mind are in the right place. She exudes these sentiments so well throughout the course of Tits, and as a result of her acting she is able to develop layers to Iben.
Tits covers a touchy subject. Sex at all can be a challenging topic to cover–but when addressing sex in regard to a bunch of teenagers, the level of difficulty gets higher and higher as the film moves forward. The cinematography then becomes even more important than it would be in other films. Landsvik and Director of Photography Andrea Bjørseth have to bring the film to life, but they have to do it in a way that doesn’t over-sexualize a group of teens. This team tends to use a series of intimate shots to bring Tits to life–bringing us close to Iben, but they never cross the line. There is no nudity, not even a glimpse of something inappropriate–and that’s all thanks to what Bjørseth is able to capture on film.
Without a doubt, Tits is a challenging film to develop. As a result of the sexual content revolving around a group of teenagers, Landsvik must challenge himself to keep the film accessible to all while still remaining true to its story and its purpose. The purpose is the easy part; we all get the message, and it’s developed in a way that makes it even easier for us to understand–but the story itself poses a threat. However, Landsvik attacks Tits with a level of panache and expertise that allows the story to come to life with grace, never antagonizing or oversexualizing. The film is brilliantly scripted and filmed–and Tits is a lovely piece of art as a result.
Written & Directed by Eivind Landsvik.
Starring Marie Bya, Snorre Kind Monsson, Tharshana Manoharan, Leo Moreono Christiansen, Oda Garnås Paaske, & Léa Forbes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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