Om Tilla

Arne Skouen’s subtle drama about young Tilla, who lives in her own world.

Eleven-year-old Tilla has been silent for a year and a half, shut away in her own world. The only person who seems able to reach her is Bernard, the gardener who works with Tilla’s mother at the Botanical Garden.

Tilla has previously been under observation, but her mother, Maria, has not followed up. She too has secrets she is reluctant to share. Child therapist Ivar manages to persuade Maria to resume treatment, and Tilla is admitted to a child psychiatric clinic led by senior consultant Mimi Backer. Through therapy that uses play as a tool, Tilla begins her journey back to other people.

Tilla is masterfully played by Skouen’s daughter, Synne.

Om Tilla was the first film in what could be called Arne Skouen’s Tilla trilogy, followed by Vaktpostene in 1965 and Reisen til havet in 1966.

The trilogy explores children and young people with behavioural problems, and how society responds to them. Om Tilla is a special tribute to child psychiatrist Nic Waal for her pioneering work in child psychiatry.

The three films are among the strongest and most original of Skouen’s career. He made his debut in 1949 with Gategutter and ended his film career with An-Magritt in 1969.

Throughout his life, he was a newspaper journalist and editor, a writer and a public debater, as well as one of Norway’s most significant directors.

Vigdis Lian meets Synne Skouen for a conversation before the film.

Beautiful, valuable and inspiring.

Knut W. Nordal, Arbeiderbladet