Written and directed by Eivind Landsvik, following an unpleasant run in at the beach, teenagers Oscar and Iben are left behind by their friends. When one of them makes a friendly gesture, they experience what might be the beginning of an unexpected relationship. Starring: Snorre Kind Monsson, Marie Bya, Oda Garnås Paaske, Leo Moreno Christiansen and Tharshana Manoharan.
It’s surprisingly not the most common thing to have a film about teens that actually feels genuine and is authentically reflecting the experience but Tits captures that perfectly. Right from the start it portrays that chaos of teen hormones and nonsense. One thing it truly hits the nail on the head with is showing how teens can be entirely different people depending on whether they’re in a group or one on one. The story exemplifies that drastic change when they turn off the need to impress and keep things simple. It has a great blend of awkwardness, sweetness, insecurity and quintessential horniness which all build an interesting tension.
The cinematography and overall aesthetic are hitting strongly nostalgic vibes, particularly with the heavy pastel choices of the palette. It still has that hit of modernity to it, creating an atmosphere that’s youthful and truly captures the insecurity which comes with that. That feeling of constantly being on tenterhooks, any wrong move shooting you down the ladder of popularity. It’s a specific yet enveloping tone, which draws you in easily. Although the way it presents itself doesn’t feel as though it’s solidifying a lead character as it tends to move untethered. It does mostly surround Oscar (Snorre Kind Monsson) and Iben (Marie Bya) but neither of the characters feel set up as protagonists.
Both Snorre Kind Monsson and Marie Bya do give performances worthy of the lead though. Bya’s Iben gives the feel of that classic trap between being authentic and trying to be popular or to seem desirable. Very much a young woman whose viewpoint is being warped by hormones and lack of self-confidence. Which is where her unexpected connection with Monsson’s Oscar comes in, he’s the other side of that coin, struggling with image issues and having a sensitive personality. It just takes that moment of quiet to bring them together and they create a sweet, touching friendship with the potential for something more.
Tits offers a hugely relatable teen experience, capturing the endless efforts to put forth the persona you want people to see rather than just being yourself. The insecurity, the anxiety, the self-doubt, it’s got a nostalgic and sympathetic tone. The cinematography and direction are strong, the visual choices perfectly match the atmosphere the story has to offer and it brings a surprising edge of tension.
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