Trailer Watch: There’s Something within “Thelma”
Thelma (Eili Harboe) has just left her religious family and small hometown to attend university in Oslo. It’s not long before she finds herself thrown by two unexpected and seemingly unrelated developments: Thelma experiences intense, apparently supernatural seizures and realizes she is falling for another young woman, Anja (Okay Kaya).
However, as the U.S. trailer for “Thelma” indicates, the titular character’s seizures and sexual desires might not be mutually exclusive. As Thelma and Anja grow closer, the seizures become worse and other weird things begin to happen. Lights flicker, glass shatters, and a flock of birds fly into a window.
Not to mention Thelma is struggling to reconcile her faith with her relationship with Anja. Or is she struggling to accept that she, herself, has god-like abilities? “Lord, save me from these thoughts,” Thelma prays — but it’s unclear which exact thoughts she needs help with.
Directed by Joachim Trier (“Louder Than Bombs”), “Thelma” will screen at TIFF beginning September 10. It hits theaters November 10.
