Jury motivation:

How can you own the truth about your own dreams and your own life? Dag Johan Haugerud’s film Dreams is a subtle exploration of both grand themes and cinematic narrative forms. The film has a seemingly simple story about a young girl, Johanne, and her intense infatuation with her teacher, Johanna. Through a well-written script with intricate use of narrative perspective, filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud plays with both the film medium, thoughts, and emotions in ways that enable the film continue to grow long after it’s finished. The collaboration with cinematographer Cecilie Semec offers rich visual motifs, accompanied by unique music by composer Anna Nguyen Berg. These choices highlight the strong acting performances, especially by Ella Øverbye in her first leading role. Behind humorous scenes and witty dialogue, a nuanced story unfolds about the value of finding one’s own identity and becoming oneself. Dreams’ humanism and understanding of queer longing and sexuality make the film both welcome and essential in today’s political discourse. Together with his collaborators, Dag Johan Haugerud has created a finely tuned work that is sensual, tactile, and thought-provoking.