Now here’s a film that has everything to become a modern cult classic: an enchanting main character, a punk attitude, a fantastic soundtrack and bizarre plot twists. Sometimes magical, always provocative. The Sweet East is sharp and mocks hyper-specific niche groups in America and plays with representations of popular culture in fascinating ways.
Genre: drama
Language: English, subtitles: Dutch
High school student Lillian, played by Talia Ryder (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), is an angelic but passive schoolgirl who is bored during her school trip to Washington D.C. When she becomes separated from her group, she explores on her own and begins a road trip through the cities and forests of the East Coast of the United States. Separated from her classmates, she tumbles like an “Alice in Wonderland” into an absurdist lair where she meets people from different subcultures: neo-Nazis, QAnon supporters, and hipster filmmakers. But uninhibited and fearless as she is, Lilian always manages to get herself out of oppressive situations.
The Sweet East, the directorial debut of Sean Price Williams who is well known as a cinematographer (Good Time, Marjorie Prime), is an absurd and humorous road movie with enchanting characters, an eclectic soundtrack and bizarre plot twists. The filmmaker creates a world full of cinephilic references and sharp satire, highlighting the absurdities of contemporary America.
Awards
The film had its world premiere at last year's Cannes Film Festival and subsequently won numerous awards at various international festivals. And fun-fact: Lead actress Talia Ryder also sang the opening number.
Reviews
“Shot in a way reminiscent of classic ’70s cinema while commenting on the woes of the contemporary, Williams builds a timely film that still feels timeless, an expansive chronicling of a slice of America ripe for many a rewatch.” The Playlist
“The Sweet East,” a shape-shifting satire about modern American subcultures, is a curious — occasionally delightful — object.” The New York Times
There is a sense here not just of Vietnam-era experimental cinema but of contemporaneous postmodern novels by the likes of Thomas Pynchon and the recently late John Barth. Smart and dumb. Fascinating and frustrating. An absolute blast. - The Irish Times
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 created in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab