November 30th

Every November 30th, the anniversary of King Karl XII's death, hyper-nationalist and neo-Nazi groups stage demonstrations, met by democratic counter-protests. Set in Alby, a Stockholm suburb with a large immigrant community, the film transposes "West Side Story" without merely copying it—many scenes carry the raw immediacy of live broadcast. Adam belongs to a Nazi faction hostile above all to immigrants with "wrong" hair or skin color. Julia comes from a family of Peruvian political refugees. They fall instantly and mutually in love, their scenes together intensely emotional. Adam consequently leaves his group, but when his best friend is killed by Julia's brother, he kills the brother in return. Hunted by police and Julia's relatives alike, the couple are ultimately both murdered. The film offers no gesture toward reconciliation.