Hella Joof releases ‘Nøjsomheden’ film set in Helsingør

Director Hella Joof has released her new film, ‘Nøjsomheden’, an adaptation of Stine Askov’s 2022 novel. The story is set within a social housing complex in Helsingør, which serves as both a backdrop and a central character in the production.

The film follows Mona, a 19-year-old woman growing up in a challenging environment with a mother struggling with social anxiety and hoarding tendencies. Mona finds an escape through books and eventually enters a romance with Nikolaj, a young man from a different social background.

While the film has been noted for its charm and successful portrayal of a romantic comedy with social undertones, some critiques suggest the adaptation softens the original material. Joof, who grew up in a social housing area in Birkerød, noted that her own background provided a unique perspective that she values in her work.