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Amos Lassen wrote on 04/04/2011:

Rewatching “You Are Not Alone” last night made me realize how much gay life has really changed. The Danish movie made in 1978 deals with an aspect of society which was a taboo and considered quite scandalous when it was first released. It is about life in a boarding school in Denmark and focuses on the conflict of the old fashioned views of the headmaster as opposed to the more liberal views of the schoolboys. Ole, one of the students is to be expelled because he hung “pornographic” pictures in the bathroom However, the boys will not let this happen and unite against the headmaster and the boy is allowed to stay. Another subplot concerns Bo who is 15 and Kim who is 12 and the headmaster’s son.
They have an intimate relationship which goes beyond the bonds of friendship. The relationship is portrayed as something quite natural and they do not hide it from their schoolmates who seem to have no trouble with it.
The value of the film is the story that it tells and shows a period in history which is now lost. It is a film about life and misery, love and happiness, sex and understanding, challenges and victories, senselessness and achievement and systems and rebellions. It is an enchanting and naïve and deep and moving.
The seventies were quite a time. It was a time for creating differences and applying them to the existent system. But one must have an open mind to watch this film. As innocent as the relationship of Bo and Kim is, we know the depth that we do not see on the screen. It is the story of first same-sex love and even though it is handled with style and sensitivity, it was considered a taboo when the movie was made and is still considered as such today by many.
Even though the characters are not fully developed, the idea behind the film set new standards for other films on the same subject. This film flings open the closet door on youthful homosexuality and it does so with honesty. So be warned—this is not a movie for the narrow minded or for those who wish to discredit our being.

Janorm wrote on 03/12/2008:

Nielsen has taken an extremely controversial subject and treated it with such artistic quality and integrity as to produce a true masterpiece of cinematography for the century! Not only is the subject matter done so appropriately, but the characters seem to blend right into the action. The romantic nature of this film is undeniable, yet the theme from the title still manages to grab you. A definite Collection must! TOTAL ACCEPTABILITY!!!

jivadas wrote on 07/22/2007:

YaNA is a product of the cinematic Hippie Revolution, which began with a naked limp penis in "I Am Curious (Yellow)", and hasn't stopped going on from there.

When this film was made, some women still wondered when boys might turn on: at 18. perhaps, or 19.

YaNA circulated on VHS from almost the day that VHS was invented; and when VHS began to die, this little masterpiece died too.

TLA deserves high praise for copying and restoring the film. It is a lecture on the pubescent view of sexuality.

SEX IS GOOD. That is the gospel of this beautiful movie.

Six Stars out of a possible Five.

Eran wrote on 02/01/2003:

This is a very nicely done movie, with beautiful young boys and a wonderful love story with a strong ending.
Recommended in the Danish Cinema tradition to anyone who ever was in love, 3 thumbs up and a half thumb for the shower scene.