Hirschfield International Film Series: 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. 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. In French with English subtitles. (1 hour 12 minutes.) Free. A Hirschfield International Film Series Event. Sponsored by the Department of French and Francophone Studies. In-person only. The most up-to-date regarding this film can be found on our website.