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The BAFTA-nominated UK filmmaker behind The Arbor places Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale in a modern-day context, following two poor boys who work...
The BAFTA-nominated UK filmmaker behind The Arbor places Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale in a modern-day context, following two poor boys who work for a scrap merchant and become caught up in the world of copper theft. Winner of the Europa Cinemas award at Festival de Cannes 2013.
"Inspired by Oscar Wilde's story... tells the tale of Arbor and Swifty, two young boys growing up in an underprivileged town in Yorkshire. Struggling to fit in at school, and each facing their own challenges at home, the two friends find their seemingly directionless lives given dubious purpose when they meet local scrapdealer Kitten, from whom they learn of the lucrative demand for copper wire. Kitten allows the boys to use his horse and cart to collect scrap metal, but as the pair start getting to grips with the trade, a divide is formed when their mentor starts showing favour towards Swifty, leaving the cocky Arbor feeling excluded and increasingly irresponsible in his actions...
"Recalls the social realism of Ken Loach's Kes, and the allegorical poetry of Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher and Andrea Arnold's Fish Tank." (London Film Festival)
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98 %85 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® rating
81 %6,959 reviewsAudience score rating
"Though inspired by Oscar Wilde's religious allegory, there's nothing genteel – or veiled – about documentary-maker turned writer/director Clio Barnard's powerful portrait of austerity England. And nobody's going to be redeemed either."
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Flicks
Flicks"The film’s turn toward the tragic is hardly untelegraphed, but its emotional blows still land with crushing precision."
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Variety
Variety"Poignant, unflinching slice of hard-knock-life grips tight and lingers long."
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Total Film
Total Film"For today’s socially conscious British filmmakers, northern England is more or less what southern Italy was to the postwar neorealists: a landscape of social misery..."
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The New York Times
The New York Times"Cements Barnard's growing reputation as one of Britain's best film-makers."
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The Guardian
The Guardian"A harsh movie, but it isn’t devoid of hope."
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The Dissolve
The Dissolve"Elevated by excellent performances by the young leads and some unexpectedly poetic touches."
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Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Reporter"A terrific human drama with standout performances from its young leads."
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Empire Magazine
Empire MagazineThe Selfish Giant | Details
Award winner- Winner of Label Europa Cinemas, Cannes Film Festival 2013.
- Rating
- MA15+, Strong coarse language
- Runtime
- 93
- Genre
- Drama
- Country of origin
- UK
