Playground 2021
Playground 2021
Un monde (original title)
1h 12m | Drama | 8 July 2021 (France)
Storyline:
When Nora witnesses Abel being bullied by other kids, she rushes to protect him. But Abel forces her to remain silent. Caught in a conflict of loyalty, Nora tries to find her place, torn between children’s and adult’s worlds.
The Hidden Child 2021
The Hidden Child 2021
Il bambino nascosto (original title)
1h 50m | Drama | 11 September 2021 (Italy)
Storyline:
Gabriele Santoro is a Professor of Pianoforte at the Music Conservatory San Pietro a Majella who lives in a working-class area of the city. One morning, while shaving his beard, the postman buzzes at the intercom to tell him he has a package. Gabriele opens the door and, before greeting him, runs to rinse his face. In that short space of time, a ten-year-old child slips into his apartment and hides away. “The maestro” – as he’s called in his neighbourhood – only notices the stowaway late at night. And when he sees him, he recognizes the intruder as Ciro, a child who lives with his parents and siblings on the top floor of his building. When asked why he has fled his home, Ciro refuses to speak. Nevertheless, the maestro instinctively decides to hide him in his home, setting Ciro’s enemies a uniquely difficult challenge.
Saihu the Dog 1982
Saihu the Dog 1982
Sai Hu (original title)
1h 29m | Drama | 1982 (China)
Storyline:
The story sets in the agrarian revolutionary period, a brave boy and his smart loyal dog rescue his father from the evil landlord’s dungeon.
Die Freibadclique 2017
Die Freibadclique 2017
1h 44m | Drama, War | 28 March 2018 (Germany)
Storyline:
Summer 1944, Schwäbisch Hall. Against the war propaganda and the ordered heroism, the five 16 year old boys of the swimming pool group dream about swing music, sex and freedom. And they also dream about Lore, the helper from Fliegerhorst, who gets looks from all the boys in her red swimming suit. At the same time they realize there is no chance they can escape the horror at the front. Lore tells them “Remain alive”, but Zungenkuss dies first and more won’t make it through the war alive.
Pollux 2018
Pollux 2018
23m | Short, Drama | 8 September 2018 (France)
Storyline:
No summer camp this year for 13-year-old Vivian and Max because of the imminent closure of the factory where their parents are working. But Vivian has a plan to make money and allow them to go to the camp anyway. Accompanied by Tom, their childhood friend, they will run into a race against time.
Rival 2020
Rival 2020
Rivale (original title)
1h 36m | Drama | 15 August 2021 (Ukraine)
Storyline:
Nine-year-old Roman follows his mother Oksana to Germany where she is working illegally. She is living there with the 62-year-old widower Gert who suffers from diabetes. Gert tries to make friends with the boy, but Roman struggles for his mother’s attention. When Oksana suddenly falls ill, Roman is left alone with his rival. Gert turns out to be a good playmate until he dies in an accident. Roman is all alone and can now live out his wild curiosity and longing for freedom.
Hijos de la Sal 2018
Hijos de la Sal 2018
1h 43m | Drama | 31 August 2018 (Venezuela)
Storyline:
In Cumaragues, Venezuela an elderly father, Evaristo and his pubescent children, Enrique (13) and Maria (16) survive by harvesting salt from the sea. After the father dies, they live alone. Isolated from the outside world they become increasingly distanced, whilst their lust starts to blossom. Their lives get a lot harder. The brutal reality of harvesting sea salt coincides with their blossoming sexuality. Their lives of solitude drive them further apart whilst awakening lust makes itself known.
The Republic of ShKID 1966
The Republic of ShKID 1966
Respublika ShKID (original title)
1h 40m | Comedy, Drama, Family | 29 December 1966 (Soviet Union)
Storyline:
The film is based on the eponymous book, written by two former street gangsters – Grigori Belykh and Leonid Panteleyev. Film is set in the 1920s St. Petersburg, Russia. Streets of the city are full of the homeless boys. They are caught to be raised and educated at the correction school named after Dostoevsky. The boys are street smart and difficult. But the faculty stands up to the challenge. The teaches are being devoted and caring, and gradually win the respect of the most difficult kids. The school director (Yursky) is a refined intellectual, who becomes a role model for the boys.
The Boys of Beslan 2005
The Boys of Beslan 2005
47m | Documentary | 2005
Storyline:
May 25, 2005, the last day of school in Beslan, Russia, celebrated with the Ceremony of the Last Bell. A graduating senior carries a new student who rings a bell for the last time. The school year started on September 1st and was to be no different than any other. Tragically, within 48 hours, those youthful delights would be dashed by death and destruction. Chechen rebels had targeted School #1 in another misguided attempt at bringing attention to their country’s plight. They had crafted an intricate plot to take hostage over twelve hundred students, parents and staff in achieve their goals. The plan failed. A huge bomb was detonated by accident and 344 hostages were killed, 172 of them were children. But THE BOYS OF BESLAN is not so much about the slaughter of innocents, but the spirit and resiliency of youth, embodied in the shining faces of young survivors Kazik and Asik. For even as they speak so sadly of the horror they witnessed that dark day in September, there is still the twinkle of hope in their eyes. These brave boys are not dwelling in the past but look firmly toward the future, one that will include, at last … peace on earth.
