Elephant

Elephant was made in the wake of the Columbine High School massacre and aims to explore the environment that can foster such tragedies. It deliberately avoids providing clear motives for the shooters, instead focusing on the everyday lives of the students and the subtle ways that alienation and violence can manifest.

• Its realistic and unflinching portrayal of high school life, avoiding sensationalism while still being deeply unsettling.
• The film's experimental cinematography and long takes create a palpable sense of unease and tension.
• It explores themes of isolation, bullying, and the factors contributing to school violence without offering easy answers or moralizing.
• Excellent sound design which adds to the atmosphere and feeling of dread.

Fun Facts

• Many of the actors were non-professional and cast from the Portland, Oregon area, adding to the film's authenticity.
• The film is loosely inspired by Alan Clarke's 1989 film of the same name, which depicted sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.