Opening 11 Apr 2013
Directed by:
Sally Potter
Writing credits:
Sally Potter
Principal actors:
Elle Fanning, Alessandro Nivola, Christina Hendricks, Alice Englert, Timothy Spall
This drama explores the concept of freedom and friendship in a society threatened by a possibly nuclear cold war. Ginger (Elle Fanning) and Rosa (Alice Englert) are teenagers and best friends in the 1960s. In the beginning they are still playing truant, but soon their attention shifts to clothes, boys and the threat of nuclear war. Both girls admire Ginger’s father, Roland (Alessandro Nivola), who spent some time in jail having been a conscientious objector in WW II. While Ginger draws on his relentless proclamation of personal freedom, Rosa is drawn to Roland’s wounded soul.
Trying to grasp their existence with new concepts like minimalism, existentialism and free love, the characters are making an effort to leave social concepts behind that seem to belong to an era pre WW II. It is in such a world that Rosa’s attraction to Roland becomes more than admiration and Ginger becomes an avid activist protesting against nuclear armament. But soon it becomes clear that Ginger’s motto that “nothing in the world is secure” is a metaphor not only for the war, but also for all the problems that “freedom” was supposed to solve.
Both Elle Fanning and Alice Englert played well in this movie. Yet, I had the feeling that there were too many metaphorical allusions involved leaving me a bit confused. On the other hand, this confusion represents the characters’ state of mind well, so I am giving it three stars. (Katia Trost)
