She Monkeys

I don’t quite get where the ‘modern western’ bit comes from which several critics referred to when reviewing the film. The story is set in Sweden, and takes place primarily amongst the world of equestrian vaulting. Western?

Headstrong Emma (Mathilda Paradeiser) fancies herself as a bit of a control freak in general, and in particular, she fancies herself as a new member of the local voltage team. Indeed, after several cruelling training sessions she gets accepted, and is taken under the wing of Cassandra (Linda Molin). Cass is attractive, gutsy, and just as headstrong. In short: Emma met her match. Well, almost. For what seems to develop into a solid friendship at first were girl just want to have fun, soon turns into competition, and not just in the equestrian vaulting ring.

Jealousy, wicked games with two male admirers, and the search for sexual identity soon bring the cauldron to boiling point. To complicate things further, while Emma spends more time with Cass and the team, her little sister Sara begins to feel neglected… craving to be loved and hoping (tragic-comedy here) that her reluctant cousin cum babysitter might provide just that.

Critically acclaimed and winner of several awards, Lisa Aschan’s She Monkeys