Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos (2009)
Synopsis
The father, the mother and their three kids live in a house at the outskirts of a city. There is a tall fence surrounding the house. The kids have never left the house. They are being educated, entertained, bored and exercised in the manner that their parents deem appropriate, without any influence from the outside world. They believe that the airplanes flying over are toys and that zombies are small yellow flowers. The only person allowed to enter the house is Christina. She works as a security guard at the father's business. The father arranges her visits to the house in order to appease the sexual urges of the son. The whole family is fond of her, especially the eldest daughter. One day Christina gives her as a present a headband that has stones that glow in the dark and asks for something in return.
Festivals
Cannes Film Festival "Un Certain Regard", France (2009)
Toronto Film Festival "World Contemporary Cinema", Canada (2009)
New Directors New Films New York, U.S.A. (2010)
Rotterdam Film Festival, Netherlands (2010)
Sarajevo Film Festival "Competition Feature Film", Bosnia and Herzegovina (2009)
Reykjavik Film Festival, Iceland (2009)
BFI London Film Festival, UK (2009)
SXSWeek 2010 Austin, U.S.A. (2010)
SITGES Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantastic de Catalunya, Spain (2009)
Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival, France (2009)
Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata, Argentina (2009)
Montreal Festival du Nouveau Cinema, Canada (2009)
Melbourne Film Festival "International Panorama", Australia (2009)
Estoril Film Festival, Portugal (2009)
Mostra Internacional de Cinema de Sao Paulo, Brazil (2009)
Helsinki Intl Film Festival, Finland (2010)
Munich Film Festival"International Panorama", Germany (2009)
Auckland Film Festival, New Zealand (2009)
Bergen Film Festival, Norway(2009)
Leeds Film Festival, UK (2009)
Mumbai Film Festival, India (2009)
Istanbul Film Festival, Turkey (2010)
Nashville Film Festival, U.S.A (2010)
Maryland Film Festival, U.S.A (2010)
Hong Kong Film Festival, Hong Kong (2010)
Belgrade Film Festival, Serbia (2010)
Warsaw Film Festival, Poland (2009)
Glasgow Film Festival, U.K. (2010)
Stockholm Film Festival, Sweden (2009)
Tallinn Black Nights, Estonia (2009)
Sarasota Film Festival, U.S.A (2010)
RiverRun Film Festival, U.S.A (2010)
Transilvania Film Festival, Poland (2010)
CPH:PIX Copenhagen Film Festival, Denmark (2010)
Awards
Festival de Cannes
Un Certain Regard Prize
Prix de la Jeunesse
Oscar nomination
Best Foreign Language Film
Sarajevo Film Festival
The Special Jury Award
Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress
SITGES Festival de Cinema Fantastic de Catalunya
Best Motion Picture Fantastic - Young Jury Award
Citizen Kane Award for Best New Director
Montreal Festival du Nouveau Cinema
Louve d'Or
Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival
Young Audience Award
Estoril Festival, Portugal
Great Award
Stockholm Film Festival
The Bronze Horse Award for Best Film
Trieste Film Festival
Special Mention
Dublin Film Critics Circle Avards
Best Director
Mosaico d' Europa Film Fest
Special Mention
RiverRun Film Festival
Best Director
Greek Film Academy Awards
Best Film
Best Director
Best Script
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Film Editing
Ljubljana Film Festival
Kingfisher Award