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What does it really mean to become yourself in a world where relationships begin online but need to be lived in real life? This is the central question explored in Almost Forever, the documentary by directors Lia Hietala and Hanna Reinikainen, presented in the Gex Doc section of #Giffoni56.
Joining the two filmmakers in Sala Galileo was editor Neil Wigardt, who took part in an engaging discussion with the audience about the film’s themes.
Filmed over the course of five years, the documentary follows Jasmine, Philip, and their group of friends through one of the most delicate stages of life. Set against the backdrop of Stockholm, and often captured through the smartphones they use to document their daily lives, the young protagonists navigate first loves, heartbreak, conflict, the desire to belong, and the search for their own identity. Adolescence becomes a landscape where friendship, religion, consent, cancel culture, and the need to find one’s place in the world all intertwine.
During the Q&A, one question focused on how meaningful friendships are formed in the age of social media. Reinikainen explained that when the crew first met the protagonists, many of them did not yet know one another. “They started following each other on social media, but there was something special about that group. It’s true that many relationships today begin online, but they suffer if people don’t have the opportunity to meet in person. During the pandemic, for example, Snapchat flash mobs in Stockholm brought hundreds of young people together physically. That shows just how essential the need to be together still is.”
The audience praised the documentary’s honesty and the way it follows the protagonists as they gradually find, at least in part, their own balance. Viewers were especially grateful for the sensitive and thoughtful way it addressed the issue of consent, a topic that has become increasingly central in conversations among younger generations.
One of the most moving moments came from a mother in the audience, who shared how deeply she identified with the protagonists’ vulnerabilities. “This is a film that parents, above all, should see. I recognized myself in the young people’s struggles, their extremes, and their fears. I have two teenage children. We’re all human beings, and we all make mistakes.” Her reflection led to a question connected to the theme of #Giffoni56—The Impossible Things: where can we find today that ray of light capable of turning the impossible into the possible?
Hietala pointed to the cultural shift surrounding sexual violence and the growing willingness to listen to survivors, an issue explored in the film. “I believe one of the impossible things was simply being able to talk about sexual abuse. Today we’ve entered a new era: these issues are discussed more openly, girls are believed, and people are trying to deal with these situations differently. In the past, victims were left completely alone. A great deal has changed, and that’s an important step forward.”
Neil Wigardt concluded the discussion by explaining the editorial approach behind the film. “We focused heavily on identity, human relationships, and individual choices. Our editing sought to preserve the young people’s authentic perspectives, allowing reality to emerge just as it was.”
With Almost Forever, the Gex Doc section presents an intimate and deeply contemporary portrait of a generation caught between digital screens and real life. It is a documentary that reminds us that growing up means navigating uncertainty, making mistakes, and embracing constant change.