TEENAGE KICKS

FANTASY

2025 / 98 min / color

Mihrije, Sina, and Jasna are inseparable friends living in a working-class Slovenian neighborhood – a place still governed by traditional, conservative social norms and rigid gender roles. But the three women, still in their early twenties, are unconcerned with societal expectations; they openly rebel against the specter of arranged marriages, toxic relationships, and the patriarchy. Their reality shifts dramatically when they meet Fantasy, a charismatic and self-assured transgender woman in the midst of her transition. Fantasy becomes a spiritual guide for the women, inspiring them to live life on their own defiant terms. Their shared journey unfolds as a transformative rite of passage, centered on the exploration of personal desire, gender identity, and the sanctuary of friendship. In her feature debut, director Kukla crafts a candid and poignant portrait of sisterhood. In her own words, the film serves as an invitation for women to reclaim their narrative – viewing themselves and the world through their own eyes, liberated from male fantasies and the suffocating pressure of external expectations.

• Thessaloniki IFF – Special Mention
• Slovene Film Festival – Best Film, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Make-Up, Best Original Music, Special Achievement