The Class (2007 film)
| The Class Estonian: Klass | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) DVD Cover | |
| Directed by | Ilmar Raag |
| Written by | Ilmar Raag |
| Starring |
Vallo Kirs Pärt Uusberg Lauri Pedaja Paula Solvak |
| Music by |
Martin Kallasvee Paul Oja Timo Steiner |
| Cinematography | Kristjan-Jaak Nuudi |
| Edited by | Tambet Tasuja |
| Distributed by | Estonian Culture Film |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Estonia |
| Language | Estonian |
The Class (Estonian: Klass) is an Estonian film about school violence directed by Ilmar Raag. It was released on March 16, 2007. There has also been produced a 7 episode lasting series that tells what happens after the initial movie, entitled Class: Life After (Estonian: Klass: Elu pärast).
Plot
The Estonian teenager Joosep is being bullied by his entire high school class. The class continually beats Joosep, and harasses him in other ways as well, such as fully undressing him and then pushing him in the girls' changing room. His classmate Kaspar tries to protect him and breaks from the group, which results in the violence being directed to him as well. Also, in a homophobic atmosphere Joseph and Kaspar are ridiculed for supposedly having gay feelings for each other. Nevertheless, when the school administration and Joosep's parents try to find out who is to blame for the treatment Joosep has been receiving, the class unanimously but falsely accuses Kaspar of mistreating him.
After Joosep's parents find out that their son is being beaten while attending school, Joosep's mother informs the school administration. At last the class as a whole is rightly blamed. Joosep runs home after this crying only to encounter his father who then after learning what had happened, tries to encourage his son to fight back, and demonstrates a fighting technique by giving the boy an additional beating. Out of revenge for this, the class assembles on a beach, calling both Kaspar and Joosep there by writing emails to them showing each other as fake sender. Once there, they force Kaspar to fellate Joosep, at knife point, and photograph the sexual act without showing the knife.
The boys decide to avenge themselves. Joosep steals two pistols, a bolt-action rifle and ammunition from his militaristic father's gun safe, and the two proceed to school. As they proceed, students and teachers notice the guns in their hands and after letting a female emo student (Kerli) go pass them, they begin the massacre on the students responsible for their torment. To their regret, they accidentally shot and killed an eighth grade female student from another class. Finally Joosep and Kaspar, facing one another, each aim a gun at their own head, decide to commit suicide together after counting to three. Joosep pulls the trigger and dies, but the film ends with Kaspar still standing there with his gun aiming at his head.
Cast
- Vallo Kirs - Kaspar
- Pärt Uusberg - Joosep
- Lauri Pedaja - Anders
- Paula Solvak - Thea
- Mikk Mägi - Paul
- Riina Ries - Riina
- Joonas Paas - Toomas
- Kadi Metsla - Kati
- Triin Tenso - Kerli
- Virgo Ernits - Tiit
- Karl Sakrits - Olav
Critical reception
It currently holds an 89% approval rating among users on Rotten Tomatoes.[1]
Awards
In 2007, the movie received an award from Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and Warsaw International Film Festival. The movie was also the official Estonian submission to the Best Foreign Language Film Category of the 80th Academy Awards.[2]
Political invocations
Since the movie was released, two school shootings have taken place in nearby Finland — the Jokela school shooting and the Kauhajoki school shooting. In analysis of both events, the movie has been raised as an illustration by columnists and other media pundits.
References
External links
- The Class
- The Class at the Internet Movie Database
- Variety review
- The Class online at ETV archives (Only in Estonian)