Unn Tove (Tuva Novotny) marries someone she has mixed feelings about because her groom isn’t the one. That would be her affair Klaus (Tommy Kenter), who is too erratic for her even though sparks fly whenever they meet. When the shaken bride finds a baby in the bathroom of the wedding party, she hands it to the authorities.

16 years later, teen Rosemari (Ruby Dagnall), who grew up in foster care, searches for her biological mother. At first she thinks it’s Unn Tove, who has since become a TV journalist now, but that’s not the case. But Unn nevertheless helps Rosemari on her search. On the road trip the two develop a sort of mother-daughter relationship while confronting their contradictory feelings and tragic histories.

Norwegian director Sara Johnsen’s ROSEMARI focuses on the strange way the characters are connected. Wonderful newcomer Ruby Dagnall was just 15 while filming and shines as the protagonist in her scenes with Tuva Novotny, known for her work in EAT PRAY LOVE and A WAR. Auteur Sara Johnsen keeps a few holes that the audience has to fill with meaning. The funny quarrels and agile, but never fidgety, handheld camera, turns ROSEMARI into an interesting, emotional actor’s film with tragicomic leanings.

Christian Horn

Translation: Elinor Lewy