PLAYGROUND (2021)
Written and directed by Laura Wandel
Winner of the FIPRESCI Prize – Un Certain regard – Cannes Film Festival
Nora, an anxious 7-year-old, must return to school despite her distress and longing to stay with her dad. Although Nora needs looking after, she soon becomes responsible for her older brother, Abel, who is being tormented by the other kids. This puts Nora in a quandary – should she tell the adults or remain silent out of solidarity with her brother? Once Nora discovers Abel soaking wet, she feels compelled to take action and becomes more willing to compromise their trust for his safety. The authorities at school generally turn a blind eye, and her father remains powerless, kept at a distance from the confines of the school. He is also struggling to find employment and Nora is forced to think about her father’s respectability, even though there is a high unemployment rate in Belgium. An eventual confrontation between Nora and Abel leads to a shuddering climax and a surrender to reconciliation.
In cinemas on 22 April
“A gripping psychological drama..Vanderbeque’s performance is transfixing.”
Jessica Kiang, Variety
“Playground is a poignant portrait of the dynamics of fitting in and finding one’s place.”
Selina Sondermann, The Upcoming
Language: French with English subtitles
Distributor: New Wave Films
Key Filmmakers: Laura Wandel
Special Screening at Curzon Bloomsbury, London – Screening + Q&A w Laura Wandel, Friday 22 April, 6.20pm, find out more here.
OUR THOUGHTS
Laura Wandel’s beautifully observed debut feature follows seven-year-old Nora (Maya Vanderbequel) as she starts a new school. Navigating her way across the playground (more psychological battleground) where Darwinian rules are still very much at play, Nora soon comes to realise that her sibling neediness has drawn unwanted attention to her older brother Abel (Günter Duret) who becomes the victim of a gang of bullies.
Nora’s own fragile friendships soon falter as Abel becomes a social pariah, and Nora rejects him (literally denouncing him), resulting in the fracturing of their once strong bond.
Both are alone now. Both victims. Wandel’s sparse script and deft, unsentimental direction pulls us along from the moment the school gates open – not least because we literally follow Nora as she is firmly led away from her father to her classroom.
A small but intense (bordering on terrifying) loud, often out of focus world seen, heard and felt from the POV of a small anxious child.
No matter how old you are, you will never forget the loneliness and isolation of being seven at a new school. The power struggles. The heart-breaking moments when hard-won fickle friendships are lost.
