The Class (film)

Infobox Film
name = The Class
_et. Klass


image_size =
caption =
director = Ilmar Raag
producer =
writer = Ilmar Raag
narrator =
starring =
music = Martin Kallasvee
Paul Oja
Timo Steiner
cinematography = Kristjan-Jaak Nuudi
editing = Tambet Tasuja
distributor =
released = 16 March 2007 (Estonia)
runtime = 99 min
country = EST
language = Estonian
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.klassifilm.com/intro.php
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0988108

"The Class" ( _et. Klass) is an Estonian movie about school violence directed by Ilmar Raag. It was released on March 16, 2007.

Plot

The Estonian teenager Joosep (the Estonian form of American name "Joseph") is being bullied by his entire high school class. The class continually beats Joosep, bullying him in other ways such as playing tricks on him, as well. Seeing that something is wrong, a fellow classmate known as Kaspar tries to protect him from the group hazing that is taking place. Getting involved with Joosep and breaking from the group begins to mean that Kaspar must protect not only his new friend but himself from the in-crowd, as well. When it comes time for blame to rest on someone for the treatment Joosep has been receiving, the class unanimously but falsely accuses Kaspar of mistreating him. This causes problems with both Kaspar's parents and the administration, not to mention classmates who begin taunting both Kasper and Joosep as "fags" who are sticking up for one another.

The final straw comes when Joosep's mother finds out that her son is being beaten while attending school, and she informs administration. The class as a whole is finally responsible for what has been going on and the blame is rightly placed with them. Out of revenge for this, the class assembles on a beach, calling both Kaspar and Joosep there under false pretenses. Once there, they begin using homophobic slurs towards both boys and ultimately end up forcing Kaspar to fellate Joosep, at knife point.

This act is the final push needed to spur the boys into revenge themselves, which is taken in the next few scenes. Joosep steals guns from his militaristic father's gun safe, and the two proceed to school, where they massacre the boys responsible for their torment, and also an eighth grade female. In the final moments of the movie, we see Joosep and Kaspar facing one another, guns aimed at their heads. Counting to three is the plan, though only Joosep pulls the trigger.

Cast

* Vallo Kirs - Kaspar
* Pärt Uusberg - Joosep
* Lauri Pedaja - Anders
* Paula Solvak - Thea
* Mikk Mägi - Paul
* Riina Reis - Riina
* Joonas Paas - Toomas
* Kadi Metsla - Kati
* Triin Tenso - Kerli
* Virgo Ernits - Tiit
* Karl Sakrits - Olav

Awards

In 2007, the movie received an award from Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and Warsaw International Film Festival. The movie is also the official Estonian submission to the Best Foreign Language Film Category of the 80th Annual Academy Awards. [ [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972713.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Estonia offers Oscar 'Class' act - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.klassifilm.com/index.php?lang=en Official website]