Unruly

Unruly (known in Danish as Ustyrlig, or uncontrollable) is a 2023 Danish film, directed by Malou Reymann. Plot In Copenhagen in 1933, Maren (Emilie Kroyer Koppel) is a rebellious teenager, who dances to jazz music at nightclubs and parties until late to escape the drudgery and squalor of her home life. After neighbours complain about her behaviour, Child Services comes to interview her mother, and subsequently decides to place her in a home for delinquent girls. There, she is interviewed by a doctor, but finds his simple questions patronising and refuses to answer. He believes she is unable to answer them, and also sexually promiscuous, and diagnoses her as mildly mentally deficient, recommending she be placed in a home on the island of Sprogø. On Sprogo, she shares a room with Sorine (Jessica Dinnage). Sorine reports any infractions of the rules to staff, hoping that doing so will allow her to be released quickly, to see her young daughter. Interviewed again on Sprogo, Maren once more refuses to answer basic questions. Once she realises she has thereby condemned herself to a long stay on the island and its strict rules, Draconian punishment, isolation, and menial work, she begs to be interviewed again, but is refused.