Date

Mar 25 2022 - Apr 07 2022
Expired!

PLAYGROUND

In this debut feature by writer-director Laura Wandel, the everyday reality of grade school is seen from a child’s-eye-view as an obstacle course of degradation and abuse
SYNOPSIS

In this debut feature by writer-director Laura Wandel, the everyday reality of grade school is seen from a child’s-eye-view as an obstacle course of degradation and abuse. Following 7-year-old Nora and her big brother Abel, we see Nora struggling to fit in before finding her place on the schoolyard. One day, she notices Abel being bullied by other kids, and though she rushes to protect him by warning their father, Abel forces her to remain silent, while he endures more humiliation and harassment by his peers. Transposing the gritty realism of such filmmakers as Jacques Audiard and the Dardennes Brothers to the inner world of kids, Wandel crafts an empathetic and visceral portrait of the cruelty of children, and the failure of adults to protect them. Shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best International Film.

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Director
Laura Wondel
WITH
Maya Vanderbeque, Günter Duret, Karim Leklou, Laura Verlinden
Run Time
1 hour, 12 minutes
Released
February 11, 2022
Distributed by
Film Movement
HEARING AND VISUAL ASSISTANCE
Subtitled/Open Captions
Assisted Listening
Country
Belgium
SUBTITLES
French with English subtitles
NOT RATED

Many of the films shown at The Ross are not rated due to the prohibitive cost of acquiring a rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. Consequently, as many of these films contain graphic content, viewer discretion is advised.

SHOWINGS
MAR 25 | FRI
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
MAR 26 | SAT
1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
MAR 27 | SUN
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
MAR 28 | MON
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
MAR 29 | TUE
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
MAR 30 | WED
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
MAR 31 | THU
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 1 | FRI
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 2 | SAT
1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 3 | SUN
1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 4 | MON
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 5 | TUE
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 6 | WED
5:15, 7:00, 8:45 p.m.
APR 7 | THU
5:15 p.m.
Reviews
“In a perfect hour and 12 minutes, Playground tells the sweeping, intimate story of a child’s coming into consciousness.  ”
Manohla Dargis

The New York Times

“A must-see drama about school bullying. A sharply chiseled, wrenchingly observed first feature written and directed by Laura Wandel…. Vanderbeque gives what may be the most fully formed child performance in recent memory.”
Justin Chang

Los Angeles Times

“A gut-punch of a film that is not so much a portrait of schoolyard bullying as it is a sensory immersion straight into the heart of children abusing other children physically and emotionally, Playground is a sit-up-and-take-notice blend of outstandingly natural performances enhanced by spot-on cinematic choices. Tough subject matter sensitively handled in this Cannes Un Certain Regard premiere distinguishes Belgian newcomer Laura Wandel as as a talent to watch.”
Lisa Nesselson

Screen Daily

The event is finished.