Beautifully told story of teenage exploration of self

This film by Canadian film-maker Ingrid Veninger is a first-rate depiction of teenage emotions and behaviour, beautifully set in the small Slovakian town of Modra. The director may have taken advantage of family members to save costs, but there was no adverse affect on the quality of the acting, especially with the female lead, Hallie Switzer (the director's daughter).

The film accurately and poignantly portrays the impulsiveness - and the sometimes cruelty - of teenage emotions. Never cliché, the plot at all times comes across as plausible and very real. It brought back for me the excruciating and exhilarating moments of self-discovery, especially the painful ones of immature behaviour. This is no John Hughes story of teenagers.

And the use of the European setting of Modra brought an added dimension to the story. So often a foreign location is used merely as a plot device to get characters out of their home environment, but in this case the town of Modra and its inhabitants added complexity and an authenticity to the story. 

I first saw the film in 2010 and recently watched the film for a second time. Modra is worth repeat screenings!

The teen romance subgenre features romantic relationships involving teenagers or young adults. These stories revolve around the romantic experiences, emotions, and challenges faced by young characters as they navigate the complexities of first love and relationships.

John Cusack and Ione Skye in Say Anything (1989)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The family genre features stories specifically created to be suitable for a wide range of age groups within a family. Family-oriented content is designed to be enjoyed by both children and adults, often providing entertainment that is wholesome, relatable, and appropriate for all members of a family to watch or experience together.

Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

The story of two teenagers who discover themselves - and one another - on a week long summer trip to Slovakia.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Modra

Videos9

Photos

Top Cast17

User reviews5

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed