Flocking is a Swedish drama film that tells the story of a 14-year-old girl named Jennifer who accuses her classmate, Alexander, of raping her. The film was directed by Beata GÃ¥rdeler and stars Fatime Azemi as Jennifer and John Risto as Alexander. Flocking premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2015, where it received critical acclaim.
The film is set in a small rural town in Sweden, where Jennifer lives with her mother and younger brother. Jennifer is a quiet and introverted girl who struggles to fit in at school. Alexander, on the other hand, is popular and well-liked by his classmates. When Jennifer accuses Alexander of rape, the town turns on her and her family, and the investigation becomes a witch hunt.
The film explores themes of power, truth, and morality. It shows how insidious rumors and lies can spread like wildfire in a small town, and how the need to believe in something can lead to hysteria and vigilante justice. The film also portrays the devastating impact of sexual assault on the victim and their loved ones.
Fatime Azemi delivers a powerful performance as Jennifer, portraying the character's fear, confusion, and trauma with nuance and sensitivity. John Risto also impresses as Alexander, playing the character with a mix of charm and malevolence. The supporting cast, which includes Eva Melander as Jennifer's mother and Andreas Kundler as the lead investigator, are equally strong.
Director Beata GÃ¥rdeler employs a minimalist style, using long takes and static camera shots to create a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia. The film's muted color palette and naturalistic lighting add to the film's realism, while the haunting score by Per-Erik Winberg creates a sense of foreboding.
Flocking is a challenging and thought-provoking film that tackles a difficult subject with sensitivity and intelligence. It is a powerful indictment of the way society treats victims of sexual assault, and a reminder of how easily the truth can be distorted in the face of fear and prejudice. The film is recommended for mature audiences who are prepared to engage with its complex themes and difficult subject matter.
Flocking is a 2015 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.
