Family Movie: "Jonja"

Thirteen-year-old Jonja is on vacation with the wealthy family of her best friend, Paul. None of this would be a problem if she had told her mother about it - but she didn’t. Meanwhile, the days at the lake turn out to be utterly idyllic: Jonja falls in love with a girl, and her friendship with Paul grows even stronger. When it becomes clear that Jonja has lied, emotions run high.

The film takes us into an exciting time: the transition from child to teenager. Director and author Anika Mätzke uses this backdrop to tell her story about friendship and trust, different family backgrounds and first crushes. In doing so, she demonstrates a flair for subtle nuances, allowing us to experience the peculiarities and irritations of this sensitive and exciting transitional phase.

Like in her other films, the main characters find their very own way to grapple with recurring themes of family, friendship, and identity. Vacation, sunshine, butterflies - we can spend a summer with Jonja, as she stands on the threshold of adulthood.

86 min., recommended for ages 7 and up, German with Engl. subtitles

Photo: © Kurhaus Production