Johanne documents her intense crush on her French teacher. She writes this down in her diary, and writes so well, vividly and recognizably that both mother and grandmother think the book should be published, without taking into account that the girl has only written it to keep the crush alive for herself.

What the Critics Are Saying

“A genuinely heartfelt, thought-provoking and engrossing coming-of-age drama.”
– Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru

“Haugerud’s delicate direction, paired with Cecilie Semec’s gauzy cinematography, builds a world that’s dreamlike but grounded.“
– Tara Brady, Irish Times

“Dreams (Sex Love) is a film that can be read and argued about in many ways, and it’s even better with its shifting experimental voiceover and its three-generation voices of fascinating, articulate women.”
– Gerald Peary, Arts Fuse

Awards

4 wins & 8 nominations

Berlin International Film Festival

Won, Golden Berlin Bear
Best Film
Dag Johan Haugerud

Won, Guild Film Prize
Guild Film Prize
Dag Johan Haugerud

Won, FIPRESCI Prize
Competition
Dag Johan Haugerud

Amanda Awards, Norway

Nominated, Amanda
Best Direction (Årets regi)
Dag Johan Haugerud

Nominated, Amanda
Best Sound Design (Årets lyddesign)
Yvonne Stenberg, Gisle Tveito

Nominated, Amanda
Best Film (Årets norske kinofilm)
Hege Hauff Hvattum, Yngve Sæther, Dag Johan Haugerud

Nominated, Amanda
Best Actor/Actress (Årets hovedrolle)
Ella Øverbye

Nominated, Amanda
Best Score (Årets musikk)
Anna Berg

Nominated, Amanda
Best Costumes (Beste kostyme)
Ida Toft

Won, Amanda
Best Editing (Årets klipp)
Jens Christian Fodstad

Hong Kong International Film Festival

2nd place, Audience Choice Award
Best Feature Film
Dag Johan Haugerud
2nd Place

Nordic Council

Nominated, Nordic Council’s Film Prize
Best Film
Hege Hauff Hvattum (producer), Yngve Sæther (producer), Dag Johan Haugerud (director/writer) Motlys (production company)