A mother demands answers from a teacher when her son begins acting strangely. The narrative unfolds in a small school within a quaint regional city in Japan, spotlighting an event that leads to a significant schism among the local residents.
The Studium Generale Student Film Committee recommends Monster because it’s a poignant reminder that we are all striving to do our best on this earth. Through exceptional storytelling, the film illustrates that beneath apparent pride or malevolence, people usually have more complicated reasons for doing what they do.
Genre: drama, thriller
Language: Japanese, subtitles: English
When her son Minato's behavior changes, Saori holds his teacher Michitoshi responsible. She storms into the school and immediately demands an explanation. But as the story unfolds, the truth slowly emerges.
This film is a critic’s favorite with remarks like “A Marvel” (BBC), “Created with a great moral intelligence and humanity” (The Guardian) and “Movingly shows the power of perspective“ (The Playlist). Come and find out if they are right.
Please note that this film contains scenes that may be considered disturbing.
Awards
Cannes Film Festival: Nominated for a Palme d’Or, and winner of the Queer Palm and winner of Best Screenplay.
Reviews
“Kore-eda crafts a careful story, full of hidden twists and turns that reveal themselves with time and patience.” Collider
“Monster is one of the finest films of the year, and its structure — like its circle of characters — carries secrets that can only be unraveled through patience and empathy.” The New York Times
“There is so much beauty in Monster, and so much sadness.” Arizona Republic
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos. Buying a ticket online in advance is mandatory if you want to attend this film. You can buy a ticket by clicking on the black “order” button on this page.
Please note: you can only buy a ticket online; tickets cannot be purchased with cash or bank card at the ticket counter.
For more general information about tickets, refund policies, etc., please click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film starts at 19:30 sharp (no pre-film advertisements) and the cinema hall opens at 19:10. We kindly ask you to be at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the film. This is to ensure the film starts and ends on time.
The Studium Generale film program is selected in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab