We Were Dangerous begins with failure. Two girls have tried to escape a place they don’t belong in, a “prison” of sorts that demands ridiculous order and runs on a line that compiles all the conservative values you can think of. After they’re caught, they lower their heads in submission. However, you can see that this isn’t their first time. At least, it’s not the first time they have thought about it. It’s the perfect introduction to a film about resilience, as seen through the eyes of unfortunate souls whose idea of freedom is not anywhere as ambitious as you would think.
The film takes place in 1950s New Zealand. The school is the Te Motu School For Incorrigible and Delinquent Girls. Yes, that’s the actual name of an institution that supposedly aims at rehabilitating girls who have had a problem with the law, outrageous behavior, or anything that doesn’t meet the conservative societal standards of the place they were born in. A decision is made, and the girls are taken to an island where lepers previously lived because their mere presence represents something dangerous.
You are probably guessing where this goes. The girls are not anywhere as bad as you would think. They are curious, rebellious teenagers who just want to live their lives to the fullest and can’t find a way to express themselves when a matron is installed to lead them towards redemption. This figure will try to do her best to disarm the trifecta of incorrigibility: Nelly (Erana James), Daisy (Manaia Hall) and Lou (Nathalie Morris).
Nevertheless, in this godforsaken place, where only the rules of a horrible leader apply, the girls come together, even if it means they have to go through some pretty horrible hardships. From physical labor to emotional abuse, nothing seems to be helpful in this school. The girls must find a way to find a solution themselves. Sure, a sacrifice is necessary, but coming of age requires letting go.
We Were Dangerous is based on a linear narrative that allows you to see the beautiful landscape that is the island. It doesn’t match the hellish circumstances of the school, but it seems like the perfect place to start over again. The cinematography is a really powerful element that truly adds to the experience. The rest is all about the performances.
The three leads are perfect in their roles, and while I’m sure they’re great actors, their execution of the script would not be the same without the invaluable contribution of director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu. She’s a natural storyteller who’s undeniably focused on the story at hand in We Were Dangerous. The driving force behind the film is the natural resilience we all wish we had when confronting adversities. In this case, the teenagers follow their survival instinct to fight against oppression, and their expression is that which keeps up attached to the screen. The dancing and singing are not melodic. Instead, they are loud, angry, and raw. It’s a much better version of empowerment than I could have possibly imagined.
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
