The Giants

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kevin h @kevin_h 01/27/2025 In a world where children have no parents, the canvas is empty and all is possible. Think:- Lord of the Flies, Huckleberry Finn, Harry Potter, even. Director Bouli Lanners has constructed a Garden of Eden so breathtakingly beautiful, you'll never want to leave. Two young teenage brothers (Zak and Seth) - both perfect performances - and their friend Dany, roam Belgium's unspoilt wilderness, populated by dense forests, lazy rivers, swaying waves of maize, and campfires at dusk. So far, so idyllic. But they're here because they've been virtually abandoned by their uncaring mother. And lurking on the sidelines are gargoyles of criminals and psychotic drug dealers. Zak and Seth have no problem engaging with them: they know about drugs (real) and about sex (imagined) and they chafe at their childhood status. They burgle, cheat, drive cars and do deals with the underworld. They revel in their bravado; they're old before their time. It's hard to see this ending well. But the journey getting there is utter magic. In particular, the scenes between the youngsters and the drug dealers are a masterpiece of silence and expression with tension on both sides. All to play for: so much to lose. And special mention too to the cinematographer Jean-Paul de Zaeytijd who depicts a world as fantastical and terrifying as any Grimm fairytale. In just about every respect, superb See more 03/01/2016 Reminiscent of Stand By Me and Mean Creek, only without the golden nostalgia of the former and the bite of the latter, The Giants is beautifully shot and engrossing enough while it lasts. See more 08/06/2014 "The Giants" is Stand By Me's style blends with Tom Sawyer's. Authentic, fun and fit performances. See more 02/06/2014 Not exactly gripping but very interesting nonetheless. And the three young actors nailed it. See more 11/30/2013 Stand By Me, Belgium edition. See more 09/20/2013 Huckleberry Fin set in the Ardennes. The fantastic sound track by 'The Bony King of Nowhere' is what lifts this film up. It scored two prizes in the Quainzaine des Réalisateurs section in Cannes See more Read all reviews

The Giants

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