...but the film is in fact quite controversial since it transpired in 2018 that the directors had sex with some of the girls in the film. Johansen claimed he wasn't aware of the age of consent (which was 15 so the girls were younger at the time), and that they started it, so it's really quite iffy. One also should not be naive as to the targeted audience, in the late 70s there was a lot of "educational" soft porn from Denmark, and there was a movement for the liberalization of sex between kids and adults.
As for the film itself, it is a naturalist portrait of teens in a boarding school which enforces strict rules contravening the freewheeling spirit of the 70s. It's actually best in its scenes of arguments between the pupils and teachers. The romance between the 14yo boy who is aware that he's gay and the 12yo whom he woos is narrated very well but the film is mainly about solidarity and acceptance. There are some gratuitous nude shots which don't really push the story, yet the final scene is quite beautiful.
So it's not a bad film, but the directors were using the situation to their predatory advantage, therefore caution and context is advised.
As for the film itself, it is a naturalist portrait of teens in a boarding school which enforces strict rules contravening the freewheeling spirit of the 70s. It's actually best in its scenes of arguments between the pupils and teachers. The romance between the 14yo boy who is aware that he's gay and the 12yo whom he woos is narrated very well but the film is mainly about solidarity and acceptance. There are some gratuitous nude shots which don't really push the story, yet the final scene is quite beautiful.
So it's not a bad film, but the directors were using the situation to their predatory advantage, therefore caution and context is advised.