Uncle Jens: A Hilarious Film Review That Hits All the Right Notes!

Brwa Vahabpour’s My Uncle Jens skillfully merges humor with deeper themes, thanks to strong direction and dedicated performances.

Writer & Director: Brwa Vahabpour
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Run Time: 98 minutes
SXSW World Premiere: March 10, 2025
U.S. Release Date: TBA
U.K. Release Date: TBA

My Uncle Jens (Onkel Jens) is a refreshing take on what a comedy can be. It’s funny without losing sight of a solid narrative. The film follows Akam, a young man whose quiet life is disrupted when his uncle unexpectedly arrives from abroad. What makes this movie stand out is how it balances comedy with serious themes.

From the get-go, we see the uncle (played by Hamza Agoshi) arriving at Akam’s (Peiman Azizpour) apartment. The film gets right into the action, avoiding unnecessary fluff. Director Brwa Vahabpour, in his debut film, knows exactly what story he wants to tell. He finds the right moments for humor and knows when to take a more serious tone. This blend is one of the film’s greatest strengths, making it more than just a series of jokes.

The chemistry between Akam and his uncle is key to the film’s success. Both Peiman Azizpour and Hamza Agoshi deliver strong performances. They know how to be playful yet grounded, making their characters relatable. This authenticity adds depth, making the comedy feel genuine.

Many comedies go too far into humor and neglect their serious moments. In contrast, My Uncle Jens brings up important topics like family ties, immigration, and the clash of cultures without feeling forced. These themes give the film an underlying weight that enriches the narrative. As Akam learns more about his uncle, the story becomes more engaging and thought-provoking, blending humor and depth seamlessly.

In parallel to his uncle’s chaos, we see Akam tutoring a struggling high school student. These scenes break up the tension and add more layers to Akam’s character. The film’s maturity enriches the viewing experience, reflecting real-life complexities. While My Uncle Jens might not delve deeply into every issue it raises, it manages to provoke thought about common, universal challenges in a nuanced way.

Synopsis:
Akam is a literature teacher in Oslo whose quiet life is turned upside down by the unexpected arrival of his estranged uncle from Iranian Kurdistan. As tensions rise, Akam finds himself caught between family duty and the desire to maintain his peaceful existence.

Pros:

• The film’s humor is clever, creating layered characters that interact in relatable ways.
• Instead of being just another goofy comedy, it addresses real-life issues in an honest manner.

Cons:

• While the film introduces significant themes, it doesn’t explore them as deeply as it could.

My Uncle Jens premiered at SXSW on March 10, 2025, with additional screenings from March 11-14. Keep an eye out for upcoming showings!