Hull Independent Cinema presents…
PLAYGROUND
Dir. Laura Wandel | 2021 | Belgium | 72 mins | 15 | French language with English subtitles
Nora has just started school and is struggling to fit in. She hopes big brother Abel will be her guardian in the playground, but one day she notices him bullied by other kids, and it is she who has to protect him as he endures humiliation and harassment by his peers. Innovatively shot entirely from a child’s-eye-view, Playground paints an empathetic and visceral portrait of the cruelty of children, and the failure of adults to protect them.
Starring
Maya Vanderbeque, Günter Duret
Awards & Reviews
Winner: FIPRESCI Prize, Cannes Film Fest
Nominee: Golden Camera, Un Certain Regard awards, Cannes Film Fest
Winner: 7 awards including Best Debut, Best Director, Belgian Academy Awards
Winner: First Feature Competition, London Film Fest
“A claustrophobic portrait of pre-adolescent turmoil, this is an exceptionally taut drama. It’s Wandel’s debut feature, and it feels like she’s been preparing for it her whole life.” Alex Godfrey, Empire Magazine
“An unflinchingly honest, heartbreaking and gorgeously acted tale of schoolyard-bullying. ” Linda Marric, The Jewish Chronicle
“The film’s originality stems from its creative use of mix-and-match, taking a schoolyard tale and treating it with the hard-nosed intensity of a prison thriller and the here-and-now visual immediacy of a war film.” Ben Croll, TheWrap
Programme Details
The venue is open all day, so why not come along early to grab a drink and a snack? The programme run time includes an allowance for introductions. While we will endeavour to accommodate latecomers, this may not always be possible. Please note that we reserve the right to refuse entry, without a refund, to anyone arriving after the advertised start time.
Please note the pedestrian entrance to Princes Quay is either via the Quayside entrance (next to Nandos) or via the footpath from Waterhouse Lane / Bonus Arena. Both entrances off Carr Lane are closed after 6pm. The car park entrance remains unaffected.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop us a line at hello@hullindependentcinema.com or on social media.
Ticket Terms and Conditions
If any tickets remain unsold they can be purchased on the door on the night of the screening, but we strongly advise buying in advance. Advance tickets must be purchased; we cannot reserve tickets. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. If you purchase a member, student or 25 and under ticket, your membership card, student or personal ID MUST be presented along with your ticket on the door when you come to a film. If you do not have your card or ID we reserve the right to charge the non-discount rate for your ticket.
