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Among the many challenges that come with growing up, there is one that every teenager faces: finding the courage to stay true to yourself while the world around you seems to expect you to become someone else. This is the heart of “Mira”, competing in the Elements +10 section at #Giffoni56, presented in Sala Sordi by director Marie Limkilde and screenwriter Ida Åkerstrøm.
The film follows Mira, a creative twelve-year-old who loves expressing herself through art and spending time with her best friends, Naja and Louis. Her world begins to fall apart, however, when Naja grows close to the new girl in class—the most popular student at school. Suddenly feeling left out, Mira starts questioning who she really is and how much she should change in order to fit in. As she prepares for her upcoming art exhibition, experiences her first crushes, and struggles with the desire to belong, she faces one of adolescence’s greatest dilemmas: whether to follow the crowd or remain faithful to her own values.
Following the screening, the #jurors engaged in a heartfelt discussion with the film’s creators. Giorgia asked which scene had been the most difficult to shoot, and the director explained that every sequence came with its own challenges, but that the dance scene, culminating in the characters’ first kiss, was probably the most demanding to direct because of the emotional sensitivity it required.
One of the most appreciated contributions came from Giovanni, who captured the film’s central message: “I really liked the way you portrayed teenage life. I understood that, if you want others to like you, you have to be yourself”. His reflection resonated deeply with both the audience and the filmmakers.
Carlo then asked the screenwriter whether, looking back today, she would change any scene in the film. Åkerstrøm smiled before replying: “That’s a difficult question. We finished the screenplay two years ago, and I honestly don’t think I would change anything today”. Her answer reflected the confidence and conviction behind the project.
Bianca also received warm applause after turning the discussion into a thoughtful reflection on authenticity: “It often feels like we always need other people’s approval, to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and to do what everyone else is doing. But everything we need is already within us—we are the greatest treasure we have”. Her words deeply moved the audience and perfectly captured the protagonist’s emotional journey.
Federico highlighted another of the story’s most meaningful themes, observing how Mira initially confuses love with friendship in her attempt to earn a place among the most popular students in her class, only to realize that genuine friendship is the most valuable bond of all.
To conclude the conversation, Emanuele asked the guests why they had chosen to tell this particular story. The director and screenwriter explained that Mira was inspired by a graphic novel as well as by a universal human experience: “We all have the desire to be accepted, even as adults. We also loved the idea of the secret diary because it allows the protagonist to reflect on her past and on all the changes she goes through while growing up”.
Warmly embraced by the young #Giffoners, Mira proves to be a delicate and heartfelt story about identity, friendship, and the value of embracing one’s uniqueness. It is a film that reminds us that the greatest challenge is not becoming like everyone else, but learning to recognize and accept who we truly are.