We Are the Best!

We Are the Best! (original Swedish title: Vi är bäst!) is a 2013 Swedish drama directed and written by Lukas Moodysson. It is based on the graphic novel *Never Goodnight*, created by his wife, Coco Moodysson. The movie premiered in the Special Presentation program at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Set in Stockholm in 1982, the story follows two 13-year-old girls, Bobo and Klara. They are outsiders at school because of their love for punk rock. They have short hair, wear baggy clothes, and get mocked by older boys in a band called Iron Fist at their youth club. To annoy those boys, they start their own band, even though neither of them can play an instrument. Bobo uses punk as an escape, while Klara is angry and political, writing sarcastic lyrics.

After seeing a shy, friendless Christian girl named Hedvig perform classical guitar at a school talent show, they ask her to join the band. Hedvig teaches them to sing and play in the same key. She is patient, even when Klara tries to convince her to stop believing in God. Bobo and Klara convince Hedvig to let them cut her hair short in a punk style. Hedvig’s mother threatens to call the police unless the girls attend church with her for a few weeks. They refuse, and Klara’s father tells them they committed no crime.

At school, Hedvig avoids them. They think she is angry, but she is actually embarrassed by her mother’s behavior and assumes they are mad at her. They reconcile. Klara suggests Hedvig needs an electric guitar. They beg for money at the railway station but spend it on sweets instead.

After seeing a magazine interview with a local punk band of three boys from Solna, they call one member, Elis. He agrees to meet them at Solna station but says the band is now a duo. The three girls, Elis, and his bandmate Mackan go to the boys’ rehearsal space. Klara and Elis pair off, Mackan gravitates toward Hedvig, and Bobo feels left out. She later calls Elis and meets him alone. When Klara finds out, they fight, but Hedvig makes them reconcile.

A youth club worker tries to teach Hedvig electric guitar but discovers she is better than him. Bobo is frustrated playing drums and angry that Klara won’t let her try bass. The staff books Iron Fist and the girls’ band for a small Christmas gig in Västerås. When the audience heckles them, Klara changes the lyrics of their song “Hate the Sport!” to “Hate Väs