Sounds Like Teen Spirit is nothing less than utter brilliance *****

The film focuses around four of the finalists from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2007: Giorgos from Cyprus, Mariam from Georgia, Marina from Bulgaria and the band Trust (Mirek, Laurens, Matthieu and Eva) from Belgium. They all have very different backgrounds but a common goal of winning the Eurovision and making some friends along the way.

The kids are incredible. Giorgos from Cyprus is just 10 years old but shows a maturity and determination far beyond his years. He simply shrugs off the bullying he received for deciding to sing opera when he was at school. “I wouldn’t be at Eurovision if it wasn’t for them,” he says stoically. Marina’s story is equally touching as her mum has just gone through a rather difficult separation. “I think sometimes it would be best not to have feelings,” she says. Age: 14. Age in cynicism: about 45.

At times deeply moving and touching, Sounds Like Teen Spirit explores the realities of divorce, bullying and political upheaval on the children’s lives but it never ventures into the deeply entrenched politics of the competition itself. There’s nothing here about the tactical voting or the sinister accusations of beauty contest-style grooming for the show. But keeping the focus on the children is a good thing – there’s simply no need for the film to be about anything other than their experiences, all of which are enthrallingly told through their distinct personalities.

When competition day finally rolls around it’s more thrilling and nerve-wracking than any Hollywood cliff-hanger and you’ll be choking back more than the odd tear by the end of the film. It’s bewildering. If someone told you that a film about Eurovision could be so captivating, you’d probably think they were pulling your leg but it’s simply brilliant stuff.

They’re all competing for what is essentially a six-inch piece of plastic but what the trophy represents is so much more – the hopes and dreams of European children – and seeing so many children from completely unconnected backgrounds coming together in friendship and song is truly inspiring.

Sounds Like Teen Spirit is a piece of marvellous film-making. All too often the term feel-good movie is thrown around, usually in reference to some saccharine romantic comedy, but good is exactly what you’ll feel after this. It’s exciting, touching and above all genuine and if it doesn’t move you, then you really do have a heart of glass.

Sounds Like Teen Spirit (12A) is out May 8.