It is four years since Viktor, Runa, Joachim and Dina agreed to dedicate large parts of their youth life to a production for the film “Hello World”.
The film depicts the lives of the four young people in the first years out of the closet as young queers. It turned out to offer some ups and many downs.
It is questioned whether it is possible to remain part of the cool gang after standing up, and whether one can avoid being bullied as a queer in middle school.
Few dare to come out at a young age
– ALONE: Runa felt lonely at school as the only open queer at her age. Photo: Aage Aune / TV 2
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The director of “Hi World”, Kenneth Elvebakk started on the idea after discovering that few dare to come out in middle school age.
Elvebakk is himself gay and lacked young queer role models when he grew up. That there is still a shortage came as a surprise to him.
– I did not really think I would make such a film, because I did not think it was necessary. But then I started asking teachers around secondary schools if they had open queer students, and there were very few schools that had, says Kenneth.
The film depicts scenes where young people search for others with the same orientation, but experience being alone about it.
– I was the only queer at my school the whole time I went there. I was very lonely and simply sad. I thought “why me”? asks Runa.
Lost all buddies
For 12-year-old Viktor, it was especially painful to feel that the boys did not accept his orientation.
– LOST FRIENDS: Viktor experienced losing boyfriends after he came out. It was expected that he would hang out with the girls. Photo: Aage Aune / TV 2
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– The boys look at me as “gay Viktor”. It is so difficult to get in and difficult to become a friend, says a strongly affected Viktor in the film.
– Going to middle school and being queer is actually hell.
When TV 2 meets him and the other three actors, he describes a difficult time where he strived to fit in.
– When I look back on that time from the film, I see that I am not myself. I try to be a character the girls like and that the boys do not fully understand.
– Then you quickly become very alone. You are not boy enough to be with boys, but not girl enough to be with the girls. It is difficult.
Viktor says he lost all his friends when he came out as gay in 7th grade and that it took two years before he made boyfriends again.
– It is disgusting and scary to feel that just because you try to be yourself, then you do not reach up.
– HELLO WORLD: The four young people have let a camera team follow closely for three years of their lives to the film Hello World. Photo: Aage Aune / TV 2
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– Of course you are straight
Today, the situation is different, and the close supporters thank it for that.
Nevertheless, the young people believe that Norwegian society has a long way to go when it comes to accepting attitudes.
– Considering small things like prejudices, stereotypes and expectations: Just the fact that you still have to come out as queer speaks for itself. There is an expectation that you are heterosexual until you say you are not, says Runa.
It is supported by director Elvebakk who believes that schools have a responsibility to teach children about acceptance at an early age.
– DIFFERENCE: DIna hopes the film can show that it’s okay to be different. Photo: Aage Aune / TV 2
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– If one could have learned more about diversity at school, already the first years at school, then we could perhaps have let go of this point of “getting out of the closet” says Elvebakk.
More information at school
Now the film will be with the cultural school bag on a trip around the country. The young people hope this can show others that it is okay to be different.
– I hope the film can contribute to a greater understanding. With a focus on getting into school that homosexuality is not scary. There should be more information about it, says Viktor.
– People are different no matter if it is orientation or where you come from. You see that in the film. It should have nothing to say, says Dina and adds:
– I’m gay, but I’m much more than just a lesbian. Most people are more than their orientation.
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