Slovenian director Urška Djukić’s elegant and mysterious debut film breathes new life into the familiar theme of a Catholic girl’s sexual awakening, enhanced by its superb musical score and sound design. It also serves as a reminder—if one were needed—that no teacher can be as cruel and abusive as a music teacher. We’ve seen terrifying examples before, like JK Simmons’ jazz instructor in Whiplash and Isabelle Huppert’s ruthless piano teacher in The Piano Teacher. Now, Slovenian actor and musician Saša Tabakovič joins their ranks as a demanding yet sinister choirmaster overseeing a group of talented, vulnerable teenage girls. The film offers a clear warning to any young viewer: if a music teacher asks you to sit alone with them at the piano and whispers, “You can confide in me,”—don’t.
The English title, Little Trouble Girl, is borrowed from Sonic Youth, but the film itself is steeped in sacred music. (The original Slovenian title, Kaj Ti Je Deklica, translates to “What’s wrong with you, girl?”). The story follows 16-year-old Lucija (played by newcomer Jara Sofija Ostan), a shy member of her Catholic school’s girls’ choir. Alongside her bold and unpredictable best friend Ana-Marija (Mina Švajger), she joins a choir trip across the Italian border to Cividale del Friuli near Trieste. They stay in a serene nunnery with a courtyard featuring an olive tree—a poetic focal point for Lucija during restless nights.
The choirmaster grows increasingly frustrated as construction noise disrupts rehearsals, darkening his mood. Meanwhile, the girls steal glances at the shirtless workers and spy on them swimming. Late-night games of spin-the-bottle and truth-or-dare add to the tension. The choral sequences are mesmerizing, and the meticulous rehearsal process—breaking down and rebuilding the music—is riveting. Tabakovič’s choirmaster is brilliant but exacting, his natural musical severity masking something far more disturbing. The sound design shines in scenes where the girls’ breathing exercises morph into an eerie, almost sensual choral performance.
At one point, Lucija and Ana-Marija ask a kind nun, Sister Magda (Saša Pavček), about life without physical pleasure. She explains that fulfillment comes from channeling those desires into devotion to Christ. But is that what’s happening with their music? Is the film suggesting their sexual development is being suppressed and redirected into religious expression? Or is sexuality merely an immature substitute for the purity of music?
The story takes a dark turn when the choirmaster pressures Lucija to confide in him, leading to a moment of devastating disappointment. The aftermath is followed by an enigmatic epilogue, hinting at the next chapter of Lucija’s life.
Little Trouble Girl is a captivating, brilliantly acted film that lingers long after the final note. It premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival.
FAQS
### **FAQs About *Little Trouble Girls***
#### **General Questions**
**1. What is *Little Trouble Girls* about?**
*Little Trouble Girls* is a coming-of-age story set in a Catholic environment, where a sinister choirmaster disrupts the lives of young girls, adding a dark twist to their beautiful yet troubling journey.
**2. Who is the author of *Little Trouble Girls*?**
The author’s name is currently not specified in the review, but it is a fictional or literary work being discussed.
**3. Is this book based on a true story?**
The review does not confirm if it’s based on real events, but it presents a fictional narrative with dark, realistic themes.
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#### **Themes & Content**
**4. What are the main themes of *Little Trouble Girls*?**
The story explores innocence, corruption, religion, and the loss of childhood, with a focus on how authority figures can manipulate vulnerable individuals.
**5. Is *Little Trouble Girls* a horror story?**
Not strictly horror, but it has sinister and unsettling elements that create psychological tension.
**6. How does the Catholic setting influence the story?**
The Catholic backdrop adds themes of guilt, purity, and the abuse of power within a religious institution.
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#### **Characters & Plot**
**7. Who is the main antagonist in *Little Trouble Girls*?**
The choirmaster serves as the primary antagonist, using his position to manipulate and disturb the girls.
**8. Are the young girls in the story fully developed characters?**
Yes, the review suggests they are well-written, with individual personalities and struggles that make their experiences impactful.
**9. Does the story have a hopeful or tragic ending?**
The review implies a dark, possibly unresolved ending, fitting the sinister tone of the narrative.
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#### **Reader Considerations**
**10. Is *Little Trouble Girls* suitable for young readers?**
No, due to its dark themes involving manipulation and psychological distress, it’s better suited for mature audiences.
**11. What kind of reader would enjoy this book?**
Fans of psychological dramas, coming-of-age stories with dark twists, and narratives about institutional corruption.
**12. Are there any trigger warnings for this book?**
Yes, potential triggers include abuse of
