Pierre Anthon and his classmates have just started 8th grade, when Pierre Anthon declares that life has no meaning, leaves school and moves up in a tree, refusing to come down. This sparks an existential crisis amongst his classmates. They decide to gather their most valuable belongings in a “heap of meaning” that will convince Pierre Anthon that he is wrong. A dangerous, disturbing, and controversial study of what really matters has begun.
Acting
Child actors deliver genuinely unsettling performances.
Direction
Christensen and McNally build dread from playground whispers.
Director
Trine Piil Christensen
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Janne Teller's 2000 novel, banned in several countries for its unflinching portrayal of adolescent cruelty. Denmark loves making you uncomfortable.
The directors specifically cast non-actors and kept them partially unaware of the story's darkest turns to capture authentic shock. That betrayal in their eyes? Real.
DK
