Exclusive U.S. Trailer for Urška Djukić’s Directorial Debut Little Trouble Girls Unveils Slovenia’s Oscar Submission

      It’s that hectic time of year when each country submits its entry for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards; the choice is particularly notable when a directorial debut is selected, demonstrating great faith in a new director. This is exemplified by Slovenia’s official submission, Urška Djukić’s debut film Little Trouble Girls, which opened the Berlinale’s new Perspectives Competition section, where it earned the FIPRESCI Award and is also shortlisted for the European Film Awards. Kino Lorber has acquired the rights for a U.S. theatrical release starting December 5, and we are excited to present the exclusive first trailer.

      Here’s the summary: “Encouraged by her mother, 16-year-old introvert Lucia (Jara Sofija Ostan) joins her Catholic school’s all-girls choir, forming a friendship with Ana-Maria (Mina Švajger), an older and popular student. During a weekend retreat at a countryside convent for intensive rehearsals, Lucia navigates the new environment, intricate teenage social dynamics, and her emerging sexuality. A sequence of initiations, including a revealing encounter with a charming construction worker, challenges Lucia’s friendship with Ana-Maria and the other girls, prompting her to reevaluate her beliefs and disrupt the choir’s harmony. This impressive debut from award-winning Slovenian filmmaker Urška Djukić premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, winning the Best Cinematography award at Tribeca.”

      “With Little Trouble Girls, I aimed to delve into the mysteries of the senses as a means to better understand ourselves. The longstanding taboos surrounding sexuality have left many of us unable to fully grasp or utilize its potential power,” remarked the director. “The body possesses an innate intelligence that can guide us if we pay attention. The notion of sinful sexuality, coupled with insufficient education about it, serves as an effective way to disconnect individuals from their inner strength. It’s essential to allow ourselves to listen to and trust our intuition, even when it goes against societal expectations. Those who are deeply in touch with their bodies are harder to control because they rely more on their internal compass than on external commands.”

      Check out the exclusive trailer below.