Jara Sofija Ostan
Lucia
Overview
16-year-old Lucia joins the Catholic school choir where she befriends senior Ana-Maria. During a choir retreat Lucia's attraction to a restoration worker creates tension with Ana-Maria and challenges her faith.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min read AI-generated editorial review
The Choir and the Flesh
I’ve seen a lot of coming-of-age films, and most of them treat adolescence like a series of checkboxes: first kiss, first heartbreak, first rebellion. Little Trouble Girls doesn’t do that. Instead, it treats its 16-year-old protagonist, Lucija, like a live wire—someone whose senses are suddenly too big for her body, whose desires feel both sacred and profane. The film doesn’t just show us a girl discovering herself; it makes us feel the disorientation of that discovery, the way the world suddenly hums with new frequencies.
Urška Djukić’s feature debut is a quiet revolution. After her César-winning animated short Granny’s Sexual Life, she could’ve played it safe, but instead she’s made a film that’s as much about the textures of silence as it is about breaking it. The Catholic school setting isn’t just backdrop—it’s a pressure cooker. Lucija (Jara Sofija Ostan) joins the choir, a place where girls’ voices are meant to be pure, harmonious, controlled. But the film’s sound design, by Julij Zornik, turns that control inside out. We hear every breath, every swallow, every rustle of fabric against skin. It’s unsettling, intimate, like being trapped inside someone else’s nervous system. (I’ve never noticed how loud chewing is until this film.)
The choir itself is a brilliant metaphor. These girls are trained to blend, to hit the right notes, to disappear into the collective. But Lucija can’t. She’s drawn to Ana-Marija (Mina Švajger), a senior with a sharp tongue and a reputation, and later to a restoration worker whose presence disrupts the retreat’s pious rhythm. The film’s most transgressive moment isn’t a sex scene—it’s Lucija kissing a marble statue of the Virgin Mary during a game of truth or dare. The camera lingers on her lips pressing against the cold stone, and for a second, the sacred and the sensual collapse into each other. It’s not blasphemy; it’s longing. (Or maybe it’s both.)
I’ve seen a lot of coming-of-age films, and most of them treat adolescence like a series of checkboxes: first kiss, first heartbreak, first rebellion. Little Trouble Girls doesn’t do that. Instead, it treats its 16-year-old protagonist, Lucija, like a live wire—someone whose senses are suddenly too big for her body, whose desires feel both sacred and profane. The film doesn’t just show us a girl discovering herself; it makes us feel the disorientation of that discovery, the way the world suddenly hums with new frequencies.
Urška Djukić’s feature debut is a quiet revolution. After her César-winning animated short Granny’s Sexual Life, she could’ve played it safe, but instead she’s made a film that’s as much about the textures of silence as it is about breaking it. The Catholic school setting isn’t just backdrop—it’s a pressure cooker. Lucija (Jara Sofija Ostan) joins the choir, a place where girls’ voices are meant to be pure, harmonious, controlled. But the film’s sound design, by Julij Zornik, turns that control inside out. We hear every breath, every swallow, every rustle of fabric against skin. It’s unsettling, intimate, like being trapped inside someone else’s nervous system. (I’ve never noticed how loud chewing is until this film.)
The choir itself is a brilliant metaphor. These girls are trained to blend, to hit the right notes, to disappear into the collective. But Lucija can’t. She’s drawn to Ana-Marija (Mina Švajger), a senior with a sharp tongue and a reputation, and later to a restoration worker whose presence disrupts the retreat’s pious rhythm. The film’s most transgressive moment isn’t a sex scene—it’s Lucija kissing a marble statue of the Virgin Mary during a game of truth or dare. The camera lingers on her lips pressing against the cold stone, and for a second, the sacred and the sensual collapse into each other. It’s not blasphemy; it’s longing. (Or maybe it’s both.)
Audience Opinions
AI summary of viewer review patterns
Audience 6.7/10 AI
"A raw and emotionally charged drama that resonates despite its uneven pacing and familiar themes."
Viewers appreciate the film’s authentic portrayal of youthful struggles and the strong performances from its lead actresses, which bring depth to the story. However, some find the narrative predictable and the pacing sluggish, particularly in the middle act, which detracts from the overall impact.
What viewers praise
- Authentic performances The lead actresses deliver compelling and emotionally resonant portrayals that anchor the film.
- Gritty realism The film’s unflinching depiction of adolescent challenges feels raw and relatable.
- Strong chemistry The dynamic between the main characters adds a layer of authenticity to their relationships.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn tropes, making it feel less original to some viewers.
- Uneven pacing The middle section drags, slowing down the momentum built in the opening act.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles lack depth, leaving some subplots feeling shallow.
Recommended for
Fans of coming-of-age dramas Admirers of raw indie films Viewers who enjoy character-driven stories
Full Plot (Spoilers)
AI-generated full plot summary Loading…
Buzz & Rumors
Public reports AI-researched entertainment notes
Urška Djukić’s Feature Debut "Little Trouble Girls" Makes Waves at Berlin
Slovenian director Urška Djukić is turning heads with Little Trouble Girls (2025), her first feature film—a coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of a Catholic high school choir. The movie, which premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025, has already sparked conversations about teenage identity, faith, and desire 
.
A Story of Quiet Rebellion
Little Trouble Girls follows 16-year-old Lucija (Jara Sofija Ostan), an introverted student pushed by her mother to join her school’s all-girls choir. There, she forms an intense bond with the more outgoing Ana-Marija (Mina Švajger), a senior who challenges Lucija’s reserved nature. The film’s tension builds during a choir retreat at a convent, where Lucija’s growing attraction to a restoration worker complicates her relationship with Ana-Marija and forces her to confront her own beliefs 
.
Djukić, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maria Bohr, has described the project as a deeply personal exploration of adolescence, though specifics about her inspirations remain scarce [2]. The film’s title, Kaj ti je deklica (Slovene for "What’s up, girl"), hints at its focus on female friendship and the unspoken pressures young women face [2].
International Collaboration and Cast Buzz
Produced as a co-production between Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, and Serbia, Little Trouble Girls marks a rare regional collaboration in European cinema [1]. The cast includes a mix of rising and established talent, with Jara Sofija Ostan and Mina Švajger leading as Lucija and Ana-Marija. Veteran Slovenian actress Nataša Burger (Slovenian Girl) and Saša Tabaković (The Basics of Killing) round out the supporting roles [3].
While no behind-the-scenes drama has surfaced, the film’s premiere in Berlin’s Perspectives section—a platform for emerging directors—positions Djukić as a filmmaker to watch [2]. Early reviews, including a New York Times piece, praise the movie’s nuanced portrayal of teenage infatuation, though some critics note its deliberate pacing may not resonate with all audiences .
What’s Next?
As of mid-2025, Little Trouble Girls has yet to secure wide distribution, but festival buzz suggests it could land on streaming platforms or in arthouse theaters later this year. Rumors of awards consideration are circulating, though nothing has been confirmed [2].
For now, the film remains a quiet but compelling debut, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of growing up.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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