The story takes place in a poor Russian town that suffers from the aftermath of a decade of failed Perestroika where a military base was the main source of employment during the Soviet Union's glory days before Glasnost.  The town is to a large extent left to its own decay as the military base is no longer in use and people are left to fend for themselves without jobs or hope.  It is in this town that Lilja lives with her mother with whom she anticipates to move to America for a better life.  However, Lilja is left behind as her mother leaves without her as she does not want to have anything to do with her past including her own daughter.

Lilja lives with the hope that her mom will send for her while she is forced to move into a small filthy apartment by her aunt who claims Lilja's apartment for herself.  Initially life seems like a party when Lilja has no supervision; however, the party comes to an end when the money runs out, the electricity is shut off, and when friends betray her.  Lilja's only hope for something better, as she cannot find a job without an education or experience, is to sell the only thing she owns, herself, as she begins a long journey of self-exploitation in order to survive.

Lilja 4-ever is a tragic account of what is the reality for many young girls and boys throughout the world as they are items on the black market of sex trade.  Lucas Moodyson brilliantly depicts this tale out of a perspective of a 16-year-old girl, which comes across with a sincere naive innocence.  This naive innocence is infused in Lilja's lack of knowledge of world, her desire to be wanted, and her needs.  An example of what Lilja needs and wishes is symbolized in a printed picture that she carries with her everywhere where an angel walks a child across a ravine.  The symbolism in the image could be interpreted as protective guidance through moments of danger, which Lilja profoundly needs.

DIRECTED BY

Lukas Moodysson

COUNTRY

Sweden / Denmark

Filmography links and data courtesy of