Blind Spot is the deeply heartrending story of a mother’s struggle to understand the capacity of her teenage daughter’s mental illness. With extreme sensitivity the film explores the grey zones, or blind spots, in mental illness that are difficult for parents and society to appreciate, while simultaneously problematising contemporary ideals that seem only to be built around happiness and success. How do we open up about difficult thoughts and problems, when perfection is the only thing we are expected to project to the outside world?

National Jury's motivation: Blind Spot is a riveting drama that moves from the introduction of a realistic universe, through an unexpected situation that creates shock and despair, to the release of the main character’s trauma and fear. Everything is told in one sweep, one long shot, creating the basis for impressive acting, photography, and sound design. Tuva Novotny’s directing debut makes full use of cinematic techniques, all to the benefit of the story.

National Jury: Inger Merete Hobbelstad, Kalle Løchen, Britt Sørensen