Thelma is a Norwegian foreign language film that follows the
story of a small-town girl who starts her first semester of university in Oslo.
The film follows its main character named Thelma while she gets settled in the big city and pursues her studies.
The film follows its main character named Thelma while she gets settled in the big city and pursues her studies.
Like many Scandinavian films, Thelma has dialogue in
Norwegian as well as Swedish.
Thelma touches on themes relating to cultural and religious
differences present in Nordic academia as well as flirting with the notions of
“traditional” Scandinavian beliefs against modern day societal values.
While the premise of the film appears to be straight forward
and innocent, Thelma brilliantly opens its storyline into the realms of sci-fi and
fantasy. Making for quite an unexpectedly entertaining narrative. So prepare
for an incredibly unique story.
Synopsis
Thelma is a freshman biology student at Oslo University. She
comes from a strict Christian family who live far away from the hustle and
bustle of the big city. So, you can imagine how her parents aren’t too thrilled
about their daughter pursuing a future in the sciences.
Despite deciding to study biology at university, Thelma still holds close to her Christian beliefs. Which surprises many of her classmates, colleagues and new friends who voice opinions on how faith and science wholly contradict each other. In the face of said scrutiny, she shows her strength by holding true to her beliefs and values.
Despite deciding to study biology at university, Thelma still holds close to her Christian beliefs. Which surprises many of her classmates, colleagues and new friends who voice opinions on how faith and science wholly contradict each other. In the face of said scrutiny, she shows her strength by holding true to her beliefs and values.
This catches
the eye of a girl named Anja and the two quickly develop a friendship. As days pass, the two become closer and closer.
However, as the friends continue to spend more time together, Thelma begins to have more seizures that become more serious over time.
Her doctors also cannot seem to find any concrete reasoning’s for her seizures resurfacing and ultimately blame it on stress.
However, as the friends continue to spend more time together, Thelma begins to have more seizures that become more serious over time.
Her doctors also cannot seem to find any concrete reasoning’s for her seizures resurfacing and ultimately blame it on stress.
Nevertheless, Thelma knows there is more to it. She does not
know how, but she has a feeling that something more serious is going on. Something
that may involve her sheltered upbringing and estranged family.
The remainder
of the film follows Thelma as she dives into old memories of her family
life, while battling even more troubles in the present day.
All in hopes of figuring out who she is, what she truly believes in and what is happening to her.
All in hopes of figuring out who she is, what she truly believes in and what is happening to her.
Important Themes
As noted earlier, Thelma focuses on issues portraying the traditional
versus contemporary divide in modern society. Whether that be in the shape of noting difference
between religion and science; prayer versus medical treatment; living
off of the land versus living in the big city, the supernatural versus
rationality, or even; differences between traditional and modern forms dating.
Thelma is a film that constantly juxtaposes these two themes through its main character. Allowing the film to grow into a very personal and emotional story.
Thelma is a film that constantly juxtaposes these two themes through its main character. Allowing the film to grow into a very personal and emotional story.
As time continues to
pass on, religion seems to be something that is becoming less prominent and more archaic in the
world of academia. As we are becoming more reliant on things like mathematics, physics
and science, many (not just scientists and doctors) are beginning to throw the
notion of faith out of the window.
A 2018 study reported by The Guardian shows that over 70% of young people in the UK
and 75% of young people in Sweden do not have any belief in God. With over two
thirds of young people in the UK, Norway and Sweden stating that they never
pray.
With humankind making so many technological advancements and
biological discoveries over the past decade many across broad society have begun
to rely on mathematics and science, rather than religion.
However, not everything is as clear-cut as it looks at first
glance. A 2015 study conducted out of Rice University
found that the divide between science and religion is not as gigantic as you
may think.
The study found that over half of scientists worldwide self-identify as religious. With half of scientists in India, Italy, Taiwan and Turkey claim to be a believer in religion.
The study found that over half of scientists worldwide self-identify as religious. With half of scientists in India, Italy, Taiwan and Turkey claim to be a believer in religion.
Moreover, the same study remarks that yes, the academic
world does have a significantly less proportion of professionals who do not
believe in god when compared to the public.
Although, there are many who continue to do meaningful, scientific work who still have a personal belief in faith.
Although, there are many who continue to do meaningful, scientific work who still have a personal belief in faith.
Conclusion
Thelma is a fantastic film. I really enjoyed it and loved how
the film opened up past the halfway point. Initially the film seemed to be
pretty simple, generic storyline.
But boy, did it ever turn everything on it’s head! The switch in direction and plot was awesome. It caught me completely off-guard and worked wonders.
But boy, did it ever turn everything on it’s head! The switch in direction and plot was awesome. It caught me completely off-guard and worked wonders.
People often say expect the unexpected when it comes to
sci-fi and fantasy. This is altogether true about Thelma.
Despite knowing it was a sci-fi/fantasy film, Thelma lulled me into the story, which made the surprise all the better!
Despite knowing it was a sci-fi/fantasy film, Thelma lulled me into the story, which made the surprise all the better!
By all means, add Thelma to your watch list. It is a
fantastic example of modern fantasy, done really well. It merged the worlds of
religion, science and fantasy together remarkably well. While telling a very unique
story.
