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.
Direction
Östlund's static long takes force you to witness.
Acting
Non-professional kids who feel terrifyingly authentic.
Editing
Deliberate repetition that becomes psychological torture.
Director
Ruben Östlund
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Östlund used the real locations and some real victims from the actual 2006-2008 robberies, shot in the same mall corridors.
The film sparked Sweden's first 'viral walkout' at Cannes, with audiences divided between calling it masterpiece and torture—Östlund called that 'the intended effect.'
SE
