Playground (2021)

AKA: Un Monde
Directed by: Laura Wandel
Starring: Maya Vanderbeque (Nora), Günter Duret (Abel), Karim Leklou (Dad), Laura Verlinden (Agnes)
Country: Belgium; Effed Up Belgian Movies, Effed Up European Films
Language: French (Eng Subs); Effed Up French Cinema
Runtime: 01:12:30
Genres: Siblings-Family, Childhood

Plot – Spoilers:
Nora’s new at school and fearful. She clings to her older brother, Abel, but it’s not always possible to be with him. And he’s got his own set of rough friends. Slowly Nora makes her own friends, but soon Abel is the one who’s got troubles – troubles that ironically begin when Nora tries to hang around him. The seesawing sibling bonds are severely tested by peer pressure. The older brother who was once a matter of pride and offered protection, is now a source of shame as the siblings struggle with whether there’s any truth to the playground adage of bully or get bullied. There’s also a strong nod to instinctual gender expectations from the other – whenever Abel is assertive, even if violent, his sister is drawn to him, whether it’s for protection or to offer support. Unlike when he’s weak and contemptible.

Surprisingly believable performances from very young actors and also another European film that captures how difficult regulations, rules and over-thinking has made life for teachers/caregivers around kids.