Amateurs

Amateurs is a remarkable Swedish film released in 2018 that has taken its place among noteworthy European cinema. Expertly directed by Gabriela Pichler, this ensemble drama-comedy narrates an insightful story which navigates into the line between the global and the local, the power and the powerless, and the traditional and the modern. The film enjoys a profound narrative buoyed by the performances of impressive actors like Zahraa Aldoujaili, Yara Aliadotter, Fredrik Dahl, and others.

The plot revolves around a small, provincial town named Lafors, which is in need of a much-acclaimed rejuvenation. When retail giant Superbilly considers opening a chain in the town, the municipal head officials become excited about the potential boosts to the economy such a deal could bring. Keen to make their town appealing to the retail giant, they decide to shoot a promotional video. However, not having enough budget, they opt to create the video themselves rather than hiring professionals.

In an engaging twist of events, two local high school students, Aida and Dana, played excellently by Zahraa Aldoujaili and Yara Aliadotter, decide to take matters into their own hands. Their self-appointed mission—to create a spectacle that could put Lafors on the map—sets the stage for the heart of this film. Equipped with their smartphones, the two enthusiastic amateur filmmakers start capturing the raw, unfiltered side of their town—the side they feel truly represents their town.

With the narrative focused on the two leads, Amateurs poses thought-provoking questions about representation, identity, and authenticity in a world caught between individual personality and the homogenizing effects of globalization. The film manages to draw drama and humor from the dichotomy of the officials’ aspirational yet mundane commercial video, and Aida and Dana’s raw yet heartfelt footage. The film beautifully manages to blend both comedy and drama, thereby creating a true-to-life experience that remains entertaining while also making viewers think.

The performances given by Zahraa Aldoujaili and Yara Aliadotter are the selling points of the movie. Their delivery of tongue-in-cheek humor, blended with their youthful naivety and sincere determination, lends depth to their characters. Fredrik Dahl, on the other hand, skillfully plays his character, adding more layers to the narrative.

Director Gabriela Pichler's unique storytelling and poignant observation become evident in the way the central characters are sketched. Pichler’s direction combines a refreshing unity of form and content: the aesthetic choice to have the protagonists film scenes on their smartphones echoes the central theme of different perspectives, of 'seeing and being seen'. Indeed, what starts as a light-hearted romp subtly becomes an insightful commentary on how complicated, lived experiences struggle to fit into easily marketable narratives.

Under Pichler's direction, there’s a gentle rhythm to Amateurs, a quiet charm that unfolds as the young girls replace their nescience with experience, and in the process, gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between culture, society, and economy. The theatrical portrayal of the bureaucratic system and its decision-making process give a distinct flavor to the movie, as it teases out the contradictions in the city officers' attempts to make their town appear polished and appealing for corporate consideration.

Shot beautifully with exquisite cinematography, boasting a balanced blend of starkly real and surprisingly tender visuals, the film narrates not just the story of a small town, but also gives a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of life, coming of age, and the power of dreams. The movie effectively showcases the stark contrast between the idealized exterior that the city council wants to push forward, as opposed to the lived reality of the people of Lafors.

Overall, Amateurs is a powerful film boasting interesting, flexible performances, honed storytelling, and sharp social commentary. Though laced with humor and satire, it subtly carves out the discrepancies of society and how things are not always as they seem. The movie's approach, while lighthearted, also hits home the theme of authenticity and the ways in which modern society can often abandon genuine experience in favor of a more seemingly attractive, yet ultimately fabricated, narrative.