Underdog

UNDERDOG depicts a grim new Swedish reality that belies the country’s image as a nation of socially enlightened families living in bright IKEA-filled spaces. Dino, an aimless young woman estranged from her alcoholic father, is the face of modern Sweden. Like 80,000 of her countrymen, she has fled unemployment for a new life in Oslo. But in Norway she’s treated like a dog, caught in a destructive spiral of day labor and a chaotic living situation. Dino finds a part-time job in a sushi restaurant owned by Steffen, a former tennis pro who’s raising two daughters while his wife is off doing good in Africa. His overweight 16-year-old is desperately in need of attention. Into the void steps Dino, who takes on the role of laid-back babysitter and family peacekeeper. Soon the balance of power in Steffen and Dino’s relationship plays itself out in unexpected ways. This powerful film by gifted young director Ronnie Sandahl features a hard-hitting performance by feminist artist Bianca Kronlöf. (In Norwegian and Swedish with subtitles) – B.B.