Play (I) (2011)

An astute observation based on real cases of bullying. In central Gothenburg, Sweden, a group of boys, aged 12-14, robbed other children on about 40 occasions between 2006 and 2008. The ... See full summary »

Director:

Ruben Östlund

Writers:

Erik Hemmendorff, Ruben Östlund

Stars:

Kevin Vaz, Johan Jonason, Yannick Diakité

7 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Kevin Vaz	...	Kevin
Johan Jonason	...	Arg pappa #1
Yannick Diakité	...	Yannick
Anas Abdirahman	...	Anas
Sebastian Blyckert	...	Sebastian
Abdiaziz Hilowle	...	Abdi
John Ortiz	...	John
Sebastian Hegmar	...	Alex
Adam Nygren	...	Reggaekille på spårvagn
Tobias Åkesson	...	Tågvärd
Peggy Johansson	...	Tågvärd
Nana Manu	...	Nana
Martin McFaul	...	Arg pappa #2

Storyline

An astute observation based on real cases of bullying. In central Gothenburg, Sweden, a group of boys, aged 12-14, robbed other children on about 40 occasions between 2006 and 2008. The thieves used an elaborate scheme called the 'little brother number' or 'brother trick', involving advanced role-play and gang rhetoric rather than physical violence.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Sweden Denmark Finland

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

11 November 2011 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Gra

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coproduction Office, Film i Väst, Plattform Produktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

A study in bullying and the role immigrants play in Gothenburg, Sweden

The film is shot not unlike Hsou Hsiao Hsien's films, or Jarmusch's Stranger than Paradise, or fellow Swede Roy Andersson's Songs from the Second Floor where the camera is static and each scene is told in one shot with no intercutting. There are no close-ups in this film. The camera is sometimes placed at what seem to be at first an inconvenient place but the scene slowly makes us realize the engrossing nature of each shot. Culture, immigration, bullying are the main themes here. It seems that the director wants to bring up the on-going debate in Sweden and Scandinavia in general about the problems of immigration. In Sweden many immigrants come as refugees from the Middle East or Africans looking to find a better life in a progressive nation. In the last few years there has been many cases of violence by immigrants to the native white Swedes. Poverty is one of the reasons. Many of these families don't have enough money to support themselves in a country where they do not speak the native language or can contribute in a meaningful way to the existing culture. Ostlund is trying to break that barrier. How exactly? Im not sure. Does lower socio-economic status necessarily foster violence and theft? Why have Africans become the pariahs of the world? This movie has made me think about these questions.