Claes Bang (currently starring in the BBC's acclaimed revival of Dracula) is Christian: a divorced but devoted father of two, and the respected curator of a contemporary art museum in Stockholm. He's gearing up to launch their next show, ‘The Square’, a daring installation examining altruism and our duty to help others. However, Christian's own views on social responsibility are put to the test when he becomes the victim of a scam, forcing him to question the world around him and his place in it. Meanwhile, a shocking viral stunt cooked up by the museum's PR agency is met with public outcry, sending Christian – and the museum – into an existential crisis.
From director Ruben Östlund (Force Majeure) this knife-sharp satire on art, culture and communication was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Palme d'Or in 2017. With pitch-perfect performances from Elizabeth Moss and Dominic West, 'The Square' is a hilarious, unique and often surreal look at idealism and cynicism in the modern world.
★★★★ "Daringly surreal" - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
★★★★★ "Outlandish, hilarious and surreal yet somehow remains brutally credible" - Emma Simmonds, Radio Times
★★★★★ "Like an enhanced interrogation by an angry, provoking, sometimes brilliant philosopher" - Nigel Andrews, Financial Times
★★★★★ "An astoundingly smart film" - Kevin Maher, The Times
15
146 minutes
2018
Drama, Comedy
Sweden
English, Swedish, Danish
English
Curzon Artificial Eye