12 Dares

In the suburb of Södre Ryd outside Gothenburg, you don't let down a friend without it having serious consequences.

There are several unwritten rules related to masculinity and status. The most important rule is that you do not betray your friend without serious consequences. Director Izer Aliu's "12 Bragder" addresses exactly this scenario, following 16-year-old Fuad, who experiences the consequences after he leaves the leader Salle during a fight in fear. The gang ostracizes Fuad, and to be welcomed back, he must prove his loyalty through 12 different feats, each more problematic than the last.

Aliu has made an excellent film that is a raw, honest, and brutal portrayal of a boys' gang marked by violent tendencies. On the screen, we meet a powerfully strong ensemble playing the boys' gang in an energetic way. The result is a humorous coming-of-age film in black and white that questions several macho ideals through dynamic storytelling. This is a film that is not only about youth but also for youth.

Johanne Svendsen Rognlien

Director

Izer Aliu is a Norwegian-Macedonian director educated from The Norwegian Film School in Lillehammer. His short film Å vokte fjellet received the Amanda prize for best short in 2012, and the short Det gode livet, der borte was nominated to the same award in 2014. He received the Armada prize for his feature film debut Fluefangeren in 2017, and the film was also nominated to Nordisk råds filmpris. His feature film 12 Dares premiered earlier this year at Gothenburg film festival.

This film is part of