We Are the Best! 2014

In the sweltering heat of summer 1982, the vibrant streets of Stockholm thrummed with the raw spirit of punk rock. Amid this electrifying atmosphere, two 13-year-old outcasts, Bobo and Klara, boldly rejected societal expectations by diving headfirst into the counterculture movement. Their passion for punk was met with scorn from the boys in Iron Fist, a dominant local rock band that ruled the youth club scene. In a bid for revenge, the girls decided to start their own band, despite having no musical skills whatsoever. For Bobo, punk was a sanctuary; while Klara, driven by anger and a political agenda, crafted biting lyrics that characterized their music.

Their journey took an interesting turn when they encountered Hedvig, a timid Christian girl with a knack for classic guitar, during a school talent show. Struck by her remarkable performance, they convinced her to join their ragtag ensemble. With patience and respect, Hedvig guided them in harmonizing and playing together, even as Klara challenged her faith. Their musical camaraderie deepened when Bobo and Klara encouraged Hedvig to sport a punk hairstyle, much to her mother’s disapproval.

However, the friendship faced tension when Hedvig seemed to avoid them at school. The girls assumed she was upset with them, but soon learned she was actually distressed by her mother’s overbearing nature and had misconstrued their intentions. This revelation solidified their bond further.

As their creative flow expanded, Klara suggested getting Hedvig an electric guitar. With no money, they resorted to begging at the train station, only to waste their earnings on sweets instead of the instrument. Inspired by a magazine feature on Solna’s rising punk scene, they sought out a member of the band for guidance.

Their meeting with Elis turned into an impromptu jam session at his band’s rehearsal spot. The chemistry between Klara and Elis made Bobo feel sidelined, leading her to confront Klara about her feelings, which sparked a heated exchange. It was Hedvig who stepped in to mend their friendship, restoring harmony to the group.

As a youth club staff member attempted to teach Hedvig the nuances of playing electric guitar, it became comically evident that she possessed a natural gift that outstripped his expertise. Meanwhile, Bobo found herself growing increasingly frustrated, not only with her drumming skills but also with Klara refusing to give her a chance at the bass. To turn their fortunes around, the club scheduled a small Christmas gig in Västerås for both Iron Fist and their emerging band, hoping it would give them the chance to shine.

But chaos erupted when the audience began to heckle them mercilessly. In a bold move, Klara improvised, transforming their song “Hate the Sport!” into “Hate Västerås!”, igniting a minor uproar. Unexpectedly, this audacious act garnered them the respect of Iron Fist. As they headed back to Stockholm, Bobo, Klara, and Hedvig basked in their success, confidently declaring, > “We are the best!” Despite a staff member’s attempt to rain on their parade by calling them the worst, the girls simply laughed and continued to revel in their victory.

As the film reaches its poignant conclusion, we find Klara’s father in a rather unconventional setting—sitting on the toilet with a clarinet, playing a soulful melody that provides a heartfelt closure to the story.