The issue here is teen prostitution, and when Lilya reaches rock bottom, it is the only way to find the independence and inner resilience she so desperately needs. But there's much, much more to the film than this, and Lilya's series of betrayals is very hard to watch, even though she somehow keeps her sense of self. Excellent acting helps of course (Akinshina is amazing), as well as Moodysson's pure and natural way of filmmaking. But essentially this is an issue film, and as it examines Lilya's loss not only of innocence, but of love, power and self-respect, it taps into something honest and haunting. Fortunately, the film never becomes a nightmarish slog--it's grim stuff, and it's laid on very thickly, but Moodysson offsets it with raw humour and some surreal dream sequences that try to lift the spirits, as it were. And perhaps the most shocking imagery of all is the view that Western Europe can be just as desolate and cruel as even the worst corner of Russia. Probably more so.

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL