Thirteen-year-old Karla (Elena Arndt-Jensen) wants to become closer to Jonas (Joshua Marc Berman), the boy she met over the summer and with whom she shared her first kiss. Taking matters into her own hands, she decides to help him find the mother who gave him up as a young child in director Charlotte Sachs Bostrup’s intelligent Karla & Jonas, the third in a trilogy of films based on the book series by Renée Toft Simonsen.
It’s been a while since Karla has spoken to Jonas. She wants to call him, but she’s unsure if he likes her. Working up the courage, Karla decides to tell him that she’s doing a school project about kids who live in children’s homes and needs to interview Jonas, who has lived in state care since childhood. Seeing one another after an absence is awkward for them both, but it soon becomes clear to Karla that Jonas wishes he lived with his mother. Inspired by a television show which reunites adult children with their birth mothers and seeing an opportunity to deepen her connection with Jonas, Karla convinces him that they should look for his mother together.
Without telling any guardians and armed only with a name and a photograph, Karla and Jonas set off by train to the town where they think his mother lives. But tracking her down isn’t as easy as television makes it seem and the pair aren’t sure what to do. As night falls, they find themselves without money and full of doubt.
Sachs Bostrup draws wonderfully authentic performances from her young leads, which are enhanced by the film’s naturalistic camerawork. Karla & Jonas offers a story that beautifully captures the experience of being on the cusp of adolescence by balancing uncomfortable and self-conscious moments with those of excitement and exhilaration. This charming and engaging film is a special treat – one which considers its young audience thoughtful and compassionate.
Allen Braude
Sprockets Family Zone films are appropriate for families.
This film is recommended for ages eleven and up.