Drama
Denmark,France,Germany,Sweden
The Square is a satirical drama film directed by Ruben Östlund. It follows the story of Christian, the chief art curator of a prestigious Stockholm museum who is planning a new provocative contemporary art installation named "The Square". The exhibit involves a small square placed within the museum's square that symbolizes the importance of empathy and compassion, where anyone who stands in it is supposed to be granted a sense of responsibility towards others around them.
However, the film focuses not only on Christian's professional life but also his personal life. He faces several obstacles in trying to balance his private life with his professional ambitions. Christian's family life is rocked when his phone and wallet are stolen, and he tracks the thief down to help him learn a lesson. Meanwhile, the marketing campaign for the exhibit goes wrong, forcing Christian to rely on unconventional methods for promoting the new installation.
As the exhibit nears its opening date, Christian faces mounting stress and turmoil. He finds himself struggling to uphold his moral and ethical values in the face of hypocrisy and corruption within the art world. Ultimately, his personal and professional crises reach a tipping point, leading to an unexpected, shocking conclusion.
The Square won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and was widely acclaimed for its smart social commentary and deftly handled satire. It stars Claes Bang as Christian, with Elizabeth Moss, Terry Notary, and Dominic West in supporting roles.
