New Trailers: Dreams (Sex Love) (2024) by Dag Johan Haugerud

Dreams (Sex Love) (2024) by Dag Johan Haugerud: A Nuanced Exploration of Desire, Memory, and Generations

Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud presents Dreams (Sex Love) (original Norwegian title: Drømmer), a poignant and richly textured drama that serves as the second (though sometimes referred to as the final or third, completing the thematic trilogy) installment in his "Sex, Dreams, and Love" trilogy. Premiering in 2024, the film has garnered significant critical acclaim, notably winning the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlinale in February 2025. It delves into the complexities of human relationships, sexuality, and social norms across generations.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30810787/

LInk Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/474110/rl/1/

About movie: https://m-appeal.com/catalogue/dreams

Theatrical Release

Dreams (Sex Love) had its Norwegian premiere on October 4, 2024.

Its international premiere was at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on February 19, 2025, where it competed and won the Golden Bear.

The film is scheduled for various international festival appearances and limited theatrical releases throughout 2025.

Release Date on Streaming

Specific global streaming release dates for Dreams (Sex Love) are not yet widely announced. Streaming availability will likely follow its theatrical and festival runs in various territories.

Detailed Summary

Dreams (Sex Love) centers on Johanne (Ella Øverbye), a 17-year-old girl experiencing her first intense romantic and sexual awakening as she falls deeply for her French teacher, Johanna (Selome Emnetu). To process and preserve these overwhelming emotions, Johanne begins to document her feelings and experiences in a highly intimate and evocative diary or memoir.

The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Johanne's mother, Kristin (Ane Dahl Torp), and grandmother, Karin (Anne Marit Jacobsen), discover and read these private writings. Initially, they are shocked by the intimate and explicit content, particularly the nature of Johanne's crush. However, they soon become captivated by the powerful writing and the raw honesty of Johanne's emotional journey.

The film then expands to explore the reactions and reflections of these three women across different generations. As Kristin and Karin grapple with the ethical implications and potential consequences of publishing Johanne's evocative text, they are forced to confront their own past experiences with love, sexuality, and unfulfilled desires. Karin, an established poet now facing a creative block, finds herself challenged and perhaps even inspired by her granddaughter's burgeoning literary talent.

Through a non-chronological narrative structure and voice-overs from Johanne's writings, the film artfully navigates the contrast between romantic ideals and the complexities of reality. It delves into themes of self-discovery, the multifaceted nature of love and sexuality, and the delicate interplay between lived experience and its preservation in words. Dreams (Sex Love) becomes a profound exploration of family dynamics, the bridging of generational divides, and the various ways individuals come to terms with their desires and identities.

Plot Summary

17-year-old Johanne develops an intense infatuation with her French teacher and meticulously documents her feelings in a private memoir. When her mother and grandmother discover and read these writings, they are initially shocked but then captivated by the raw honesty. The film explores their reactions, conversations, and reflections on love, sexuality, and creativity across three generations, as Johanne navigates her first romantic ideals against reality.

Director's Vision

Dag Johan Haugerud's vision for Dreams (Sex Love) is deeply rooted in his fascination with the intricacies of human relationships, communication, and the often-unspoken aspects of sexuality and desire. As part of a trilogy (following Sex and Love), Haugerud aims to offer a nuanced and multi-layered exploration of how individuals perceive and articulate their intimate experiences. He uses a "literate without being overwritten" style, employing voice-overs from Johanne's memoir and extensive dialogue between the characters to explore various viewpoints on the film's themes. Haugerud is keen on presenting a "refreshingly unexpected" take on sexual awakening, moving beyond simplistic portrayals to delve into "nuance and ambiguity." His direction is characterized by its intellectual curiosity and genuine appreciation for what makes people tick, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality, aiming for an emotionally intelligent and activating viewing experience.

Themes

• Sexual Awakening and First Love: The central theme, focusing on Johanne's intense, complicated crush and her journey of self-discovery.

• Intergenerational Dialogue on Sexuality: The film explores how different generations (grandmother, mother, daughter) perceive and discuss love, sex, and relationships.

• The Power of Narrative and Writing: How documenting personal experiences shapes understanding, preserves memory, and impacts those who read it.

• Reality vs. Romantic Ideals: The tension between the idealized notions of love and the complexities of lived experience.

• Family Dynamics: The film delves into the intricate relationships within Johanne's family, particularly between the three women.

• Societal Norms and Taboos: Haugerud often examines how society views and discusses (or avoids discussing) sexuality, especially when it falls outside traditional norms.

Key Success Factors

• Golden Bear Win: Winning the top prize at the Berlinale (Golden Bear for Best Film) is a significant indicator of critical acclaim and international recognition.

• Nuanced Storytelling: Haugerud's distinctive writing and directing style, which prioritizes dialogue and character introspection, offers a refreshing depth to familiar themes.

• Strong Ensemble Performances: The film benefits from a compelling cast, particularly Ella Øverbye (Johanne), Selome Emnetu (Johanna), Ane Dahl Torp (Kristin), and Anne Marit Jacobsen (Karin), whose performances are noted for their sensitivity.

• Trilogy Connection: As part of a thematic trilogy, it offers a broader perspective on Haugerud's exploration of human relationships, appealing to audiences who enjoyed Sex and Love.

• Intellectual & Emotional Depth: The film engages viewers on both an intellectual and emotional level, prompting reflection on their own experiences with love, desire, and familial bonds.

Cast

• Ella Øverbye as Johanne

• Selome Emnetu as Johanna

• Ane Dahl Torp as Kristin (Johanne's mother)

• Anne Marit Jacobsen as Karin (Johanne's grandmother)

• Andrine Sæther as Anne

• Ingrid Giæver as Frøydis

• Lars Jacob Holm as Psykolog

Awards and Nominations

Dreams (Sex Love) has received significant international recognition:

• Winner: Golden Bear for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2025)

• Winner: FIPRESCI Prize (International Federation of Film Critics) at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2025)

• Winner: Prize of the Guild of German Arthouse Cinemas at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2025)

Critics Reception

Critics have overwhelmingly praised Dreams (Sex Love) for its intelligence, nuance, and emotional depth.

• Screen Rant: "What is, at its core, the story of a teen girl's romantic and sexual awakening becomes as expansive and multifaceted as real life can be. The movie manages to be about everything it hopes to explore without doing any of its themes a disservice." 1    

• Variety: Described it as "astonishingly poised" and a "refreshingly unexpected" take on the genre of sexual awakening. Guy Lodge notes, "Haugerud concludes his trilogy at Berlin, ending on a fitting note of optimism."

• Cineuropa: Highlights how the film "orchestrates around teenager Johanne's experience of first love... expanding a world within the film world, thanks to his usual curiosity and genuine appreciation for what makes people tick."

• The Film Verdict: Praised its "literate without being overwritten" style and its "vital extension of the protagonist's personality."

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics lauded Dreams (Sex Love) as a profound and emotionally intelligent drama, commending Dag Johan Haugerud for his intricate storytelling, nuanced character development, and refreshing take on themes of love, sexuality, and intergenerational understanding. Its Golden Bear win at the Berlinale solidifies its status as a critically acclaimed work.

Reviews

Audience reviews, while not as extensive as critical reviews due to its recent release and art-house nature, generally reflect the positive critical reception. Viewers find the film deeply engaging, appreciating its thoughtful exploration of sensitive themes and the authentic performances from the cast. Many are particularly drawn to the film's unique narrative structure and its ability to spark reflection on personal experiences.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews suggest Dreams (Sex Love) is a compelling and emotionally resonant film that sparks introspection and dialogue among its viewers, confirming its success in delivering on its ambitious thematic goals.

Box Office

As of May 2025, Dreams (Sex Love) has had a limited theatrical release primarily in Norway (from October 4, 2024) and selected international markets following its festival success. Box office figures for independent art-house films are often not as widely reported as mainstream blockbusters. Its success is more likely measured by its festival recognition, critical acclaim, and eventual VOD/streaming performance.

Production

• Director: Dag Johan Haugerud

• Writer: Dag Johan Haugerud

• Producers: Hege Hauff Hvattum, Yngve Sæther (for Motlys AS)

• Cinematography: Cecilie Semec

• Editing: Jens Christian Fodstad

• Music by: Anna Berg

• Production Companies: Motlys AS, Novemberfilm (Norway), Viaplay Group (as a co-producer for the trilogy)

• Support from: Norwegian Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Oslo Filmfond, Arthaus

• Production Country: Norway

• Language: Norwegian, French

• Running Time: 110 minutes (1 hour 50 minutes)

• Filming Locations: Oslo, Norway (including Hersleb videregående skole)

Sales Companies

• m-appeal (International Sales)

Distribution Companies

• Arthaus (Norwegian Distributor)

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Award-Winning Cinema: It's a Golden Bear winner, marking it as a significant film in the contemporary art-house landscape.

• Deep Psychological Exploration: If you appreciate films that delve into the complexities of human emotion, desire, and memory.

• Unique Narrative Structure: Haugerud's distinctive storytelling, with its emphasis on dialogue and non-linear progression, offers a fresh viewing experience.

• Intergenerational Story: The film provides rich insight into how different generations perceive and discuss love and sexuality.

• Thought-Provoking: It prompts viewers to reflect on their own relationships with honesty, memory, and the power of personal narrative.

Why to Watch Movie

• For a Nuanced Take on Sexuality: To see an exploration of sexual awakening that avoids simplification, offering depth and ambiguity.

• Strong Performances: The cast delivers sensitive and compelling portrayals of characters grappling with complex emotions.

• Art-House Appeal: If you are a fan of thoughtful, character-driven European cinema.

• Literary Quality: The film's use of voice-over from a personal memoir gives it a unique, almost literary feel.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

Dreams (Sex Love) fits into the trend of "Intimate Character Studies" and "Dialogue-Driven Cinema," common in European art-house film. It also aligns with the ongoing exploration of "Queer Cinema" and "Coming-of-Age Narratives" that prioritize psychological depth and social commentary over conventional plot structures. As part of a trilogy, it also exemplifies a growing trend of "Thematic Film Series" (akin to Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours trilogy, which Haugerud cited as an inspiration).

What Big Social Trend is Following

The film directly engages with contemporary social trends surrounding "Openness and Dialogue about Sexuality," particularly across generations, encouraging a more frank and nuanced discussion. It also touches upon the increasing recognition of "Diverse Forms of Love and Desire," challenging traditional norms. Furthermore, it speaks to the enduring interest in "Autobiographical Storytelling" and the power of personal narratives in shaping understanding and identity.

Final Verdict

Dreams (Sex Love) is a masterfully crafted and profoundly insightful film that solidifies Dag Johan Haugerud's reputation as a leading voice in contemporary European cinema. Its Golden Bear win is a testament to its artistic merit and universal appeal. Through a unique blend of intimate drama, intellectual inquiry, and raw emotional honesty, the film explores the complexities of desire, memory, and the powerful dynamics within a family. It is a highly recommended watch for audiences who appreciate subtle storytelling, rich character development, and films that provoke thought and empathy, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Trust Your Audience: Embrace narratives that prioritize dialogue, internal struggle, and subtle emotional shifts over overt plot developments.

• Explore Unconventional Perspectives: Find fresh ways to tell familiar stories (like coming-of-age or first love) by focusing on unexplored angles or relationships.

• Utilize Voice-over Creatively: When incorporating narrative voice-over, make it an integral part of the film's thematic and stylistic fabric, not just exposition.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Dialogue-Driven Cinema: Continue to invest in films that prioritize strong screenwriting and the power of conversation to explore complex human experiences.

• Promote Thematic Trilogies: Recognize the artistic and audience potential in multi-film projects that explore overarching themes with different characters and storylines.

• Champion International Art-House Films: Films like Dreams (Sex Love) demonstrate the global appeal and artistic value of cinema that pushes boundaries and offers diverse cultural perspectives.