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You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone (1978)

February. 23,1978
|
7.1
|
NR
| Drama Romance

Young teenager Bo is too sensitive for the hothouse atmosphere of a boarding school run by a cold, unfeeling would-be man of the cloth. Lonely and scared, he finds a soulmate in the headmaster's son Kim with whom he forms a bond of friendship... that slowly grows into something more.

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Kattiera Nana
1978/02/23

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

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Fluentiama
1978/02/24

Perfect cast and a good story

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Spoonatects
1978/02/25

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

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Portia Hilton
1978/02/26

Blistering performances.

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raverkidinnyc
1978/02/27

I have to say I found this movie touching, insightful, and refreshingly reminiscent of the innocence of the late 1960's and early 1970's. It seemed a bit choppy, but I think that is because it was much longer originally and was edited significantly for various reasons. It is a sweet movie about a sensitive topic, done tastefully with sincerity and without pretensions. I'd recommend this for viewing in health classes if our society wasn't so hung up about sex, homosexuality and the possibility it might be viewed as pedophilia because of the brief nudity in the shower scenes and the "revealing" clothing worn during the era. Some responses to other comments I saw here: Bo, the older boy, is shown in a constant state of conflict because of the emotions his unusual desires are creating. He wants to be a regular kid and have typical relationships with other boys, but finds himself attracted to some boys in a sexual way. That is why you see him acting so hesitantly in his overtures towards Kim. He is attracted to Kim, but is concerned about the difference in age and uncertain how to deal with Kim's own innocent interest. As for the younger kid, Kim, he is just happy to be there. Try to remember what it was like to be 12 or 13, still innocent about sexual things, but wanting desperately to be accepted and included by the older kids. Then imagine a kid like that having a Bo come along in his life. It's very easy to convert that kind of hero worship into a sexual thing, and I think Bo is being cautious because he really likes Kim and doesn't want to take advantage. Besides, he isn't that much more knowledgeable than Kim, he's just slightly older, and also pretty confused about what to do himself.Keep in mind that this is filmed in Denmark around 1977-78. I noted several comments concerning the apparent lack of interest on the part of the other boys in the school to Kim and Bo's obvious physical closeness. In the first place, many European cultures are not so concerned about physical displays of affection between same-sex friends which stop short of actual sexual play. This is especially true of Scandinavian cultures such as Denmark, where nudity is not a big deal and sharing showers like the scene between Bo and Kim is quite innocent and playful. The other bathroom scene between the Lars character and some random kid that Bo walks in on is another story, and Lars was extremely lucky it was Bo who caught them and not some other less tolerant character, like Ole or a teacher.In the second place it's typically in restrictive, Victorian cultures like the USA and the UK where boys have a heightened sense of concern for inappropriate touching. As we become teens we worry more and more about being labeled geeks and fags and so we try as hard as possible to be the opposite. Since the USA is the main "superpower" now, this Victorian attitude is slowly integrating into other societies and is starting to be a major problem. However, in the film's 1970's culture, the kids are not so concerned about each other that way, although Ole does show some about one of the teachers who touches him. Still, its obvious from Aske's (the intelligent, sensitive group leader) diplomatic response to Ole's comment, supported by the other kids, that this is something most don't seem very worried about. I think Ole's concern is shown to be based on his own insecurities, which is a truly insightful point the film is trying to make about why anyone would have such negative feelings about these relationships.Finally, one guy said he was made uncomfortable about a "female teacher taking advantage" of one of the kids. This is Lars, the same kid Bo catches with another boy in the bathroom. The older girl was not a teacher, it was a girl a year or two older than the boys who was working as a cook in the school kitchen. Lars would be about 15 and the girl might have been 16 or 17. Take another look carefully and you will see this is the same girl they go to the picnic with. It's not a scene supporting pedophilia, it is a scene showing how an older teen might explain to a less knowledgeable partner how to perform. I think that is something ALL of us have experienced at some point in our own teen-aged lives.This is a good movie and I enjoyed watching it. Makes me wish I was a kid again, but only in a more open and accepting society like the one in the film.

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corston-2
1978/02/28

Anyone who finds this film shocking, exploitive or revolting doesn't have a closed mind; they have a problem. This film is very reminiscent of a French film version of the novel Les amitiers particulaires shot in about 1958 I think. For anyone boy or girl who has had a crush on a member of their own gender, these films tell it all. The boys in You Are Not Alone were luckier than me:-) I was absolutely nuts about some of my friends at that age and extremely attracted to them physically. Unfortunately they weren't as smitten with me as I with them. A difficult time ensued for several years, confusion and hormones raged and reigned and certain scars remain. So, it's nice to see a film where boy meets boy, and boy gets boy. Maybe it would just be a passing thing. Who knows? I think sometimes that people who rail all wholier than thou against the type of relationships depicted in these films should be subjected to unjust accusations and then come up against a gang of gay bashers. Hopefully no harm but a lesson learned and eyes opened would come of it. Hugh

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rfsavio
1978/03/01

YOU ARE NOT ALONE is an excellent handling of a situation which exists in every culture on the planet. Pre and Adolescent boys develop "crushes" on one another as naturally as they breathe. In the United States, a so-called "open" society, this subject is not only taboo but handled with the vigor and hatred that marked the Salem witch trials of the 1600's.In this film, Bo and Kim, obviously care about one another in a loving way. The presentation of their affection is handled with sensitivity and taste. The only scene that might cause people to feel a bit uneasy is when one of the boys from the school is seduced by a female teacher in a secluded area of the school. Although the scene is heterosexual it brings to mind the case of teachers in the US who have had sexual relations with their adolescent charges.Sexual experimentation among peers is normal and, to my mind acceptable. Sex between adults and minors is not, simply because the "playing field" is not level. The adult can and usually does, lead the child to fulfill the adults sexual desire, leaving the child feeling cheap. dirty and defiled. As a cross reference of this point I suggest one views the excellent film entitled: RETURN TO INNOCENCE.Not to belabor the point, this film, YOU ARE NOT ALONE is a landmark production and presents the subject tastefully and frankly.

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Allendorf
1978/03/02

I watched just few hours ago as I'm dead curious to some of the reviews here called as how two young boy fell in love with each other at the very early stage indeed.I don't think the cinematography is the problem, nor did the acting. It was great for everything, the idea, actors, and the setting - except that its just hardly convincing in my point of view. The movie focused too much on the school, pupils that I lost grip / at one point forgotten about the love happening between Kim and Bo.It's perfectly understandable and romantic of the low between these twos, but really - its rather a disappointment that we don't see enough how their love develop in more realistic way. Although they're still kids - perhaps, it would be much better if we see some sadness, tears, rejection, and so on (Problems that encapsulate of being gay realistically). This movie explores the love of two young boy in a very vague and unrealistic manner.This movie is rather satisfactory in my point of view for those who seeks to understand the definition of love in different angles.

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