Page 6 November 23, 2017 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Entertainment Check It Out Film Review Joachim Trier’s Latest Explores Repression and the Supernatural Extraterrestrial Adventures Spark Mike Lawrence’s Fun Star Scouts By Morgan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com A good film is often hard to describe. Like a powerful work of art, the connection one has to the picture can be unexplainable, but at the same time, undeniable. So to say that Joachim Trier’s latest film, Thelma, left me breathless would be pretty accurate. Following his American-set drama Louder Than Bombs (which made my top 10 favorite films of 2016), Trier sets the stage in his native country of Norway (Oslo, to be exact). With his proven artistic and sensitive eye, the seemingly ordinary story of a young woman coming of age turns into something extraordinary–dabbling in the supernatural, repression and family secrets. Thelma, which is also Norway’s official foreign-language Oscar submission, is an unwavering, head-on look at the human desire for connection and the need to be understood. Visit www.cinemacy.com for our in-depth video interview with director Joachim Trier. Do you remember the moment you fell in love for the very first time? The rush of adrenaline pulsating throughout your body made you feel as if you were floating, and you welcomed this loss of control because you were happy. For the reserved first-year college student Thelma (Eili Harboe), this experience also included the heavy burden of shame and guilt because these feelings involved another woman--fellow student Anja (Kaya Wilkins). Thelma’s strict religious background forced upon her by her parents not only alienates her from her peers, but her history of being predisposed to epileptic fits makes it difficult to live confidently in her own skin. Anja reciprocates Thelma’s growing romantic feelings, but even that isn’t enough for Thelma to overcome her discomfort and confusion. This suppression eventually leads to a literal bursting of supernatural powers, taking shape in the form of wild creatures and nightmarish situations. The tangled themes of simultaneously experiencing grief and love are universal feelings--although for Thelma, her internal struggle has existential implications. A relative newcomer to the big screen, Eili Harboe delivers a fearless, gut-wrenching and award-winning performance that will surely be talked about in the coming months. Aside from demanding physical stunts, Harboe gives many dimensions to her character. She is complex in that she can be both vulnerable and strong at the same time. For Kaya Wilkins, Thelma marks her acting debut and it is her doe-eyed innocence in front of the camera that makes Anja a deeply sympathetic character. I venture to say that we can expect both of these names to be recognizable ones very, very soon. The character-driven storyline is one that director Joachim Trier has come to perfect throughout his career, but what sets Thelma apart from the rest of his filmography is this film’s dip into the supernatural in an otherwise straightforward story of dealing with the human desire and struggle for selfacceptance. Ultimately, Thelma embodies the great pursuit of love told in an allegorical way that ruminates in silence and a sense of foreboding. At this point in his career, Trier is developing a recognizable “look” that washes over his films. A tightly crafted script with help from frequent co-writer and longtime friend Eskil Vogt, and a brooding musical composition complement Thelma’s sobering color palette. The cool temperature is juxtaposed between the characters’ emotional warmth, evoking a visual style all its own. Thelma is a genre film with intellect. Trier pushes his audience to imagine what cinema can be beyond the constraints of sequels and re-boots. His imaginative and ambitious storytelling results in stunning films that feel timeless in both their visual style and subject matter. Without sounding cliché, Trier has given us the true definition of a cinematic “experience” in Thelma. Thelma is not rated. 116 minutes. Opening in select Los Angeles theaters this Friday. • Eili Harboe in Thelma. Courtesy of The Orchard. Reviewed by Katrena Woodson, Teen and Young Reader Librarian, El Segundo Public Library This week’s review covers a graphic novel called Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence. The story’s protagonist is a young girl named Avani Patel. Avani and her family have just moved to new town and she doesn’t feel like she fits in at all. Her father signs her up for Flower Scouts to help her make friends, but that only seems to be making things worse. Things turn around for Avani when she is abducted by an alien named Mabel. Mabel is a troupe member of a group called Star Scouts--think Flower Scouts, only way cooler and in space. Avani immediately decides to join the Star Scouts where she can be with her new friends, have fun and go on adventures. However at Camp Andromeda Avani accidentally starts a rivalry between her troupe and a group of methane-breathing scouts a.k.a. “toot-breathers,” but you do not want to call them that! This story is packed with extraterrestrial adventure! Lawrence masterfully pairs jetpack racing and teleportation competitions with more relatable aspects of terrestrial scouting activities. This story is well-written and overflowing with humor that will have readers laughing out loud from beginning to end. The illustrations work perfectly with the text to move the story forward as well as driving home the main theme of the book. This fast-paced action adventure is all about the rewards of teamwork and the importance of friendship. Star Scouts would be an entertaining read for young readers between the ages of eight to 12. The El Segundo Public Library offers access to its collection of titles in a variety of formats, including traditional hardback, e-books and books on CD. To check out Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence, or any other title on your to-read list, please visit the library to apply for your library card, or please contact the reference staff for further assistance. • El Segundo Herald* Manhattan Beach Sun Hawthorne Press Tribune* Inglewood Daily News* Lawndale News* Torrance Tribune* EL SEGUNDO OFFICE • 500 Center St. • El Segundo • CA • 90245 Phone: (310) 322-1830 • Fax: (310) 322-2787 • www.heraldpublications.com *Our papers are legally recognized and adjudicated newspapers of general circulation Staff and Departments Editor-in-Chief: Heidi Maerker Business and Professional Ads: Janette Papineau • advertising@heraldpublications.com Classifieds: Clara Nilles • class@heraldpublications.com DBA: Clara Nilles • dba@heraldpublications.com For Fictitious Business Name (DBAs) filings Graphic Design: Michael Gonzales • ads@heraldpublications.com Legals: Debbie Waite • legalnotices@heraldpublications.com Letters to the Editor: letters@heraldpublications.com Marketing: Debbie Waite • marketing@heraldpublications.com Outside Sales: Janette Papineau • advertising@heraldpublications.com Press Releases: pr@heraldpublications.com For press releases, Herald In travel photos and general photos Real Estate: graphics@heraldpublications.com For new realtors, contracts, ads Website contact: web@heraldpublications.com For comments or announcements (weddings, engagements, obituaries) Contributing Graphic Artists: Patty Grau, Matt Lopez Contributing Writers: Haleemon Anderson, Derrick Deane,TerriAnn Ferren, Greg McMullin, Duane Plank, Adam Serrao, Brian Simon, Cristian Vasquez “Acting is not about being famous, it’s about exploring the human soul.” – Annette Bening Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence Katrena Woodson.
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