This film is part of Rentals
The Childhood of a Leader
Brady Corbet’s brilliantly ominous study of evolving evil follows a small boy as he grows into a fascist despot.
Director: Brady Corbet
Overview
This ominous study of the evolution of evil follows the progress of a young boy who will one day grow up to become an infamous fascist despot. Growing up in France in 1918, Prescott’s (Tom Sweet) childhood develops in close proximity to the fateful drafting of the Treaty of Versailles, as his father is a diplomat helping to craft its text. As the boy witnesses first-hand the severe societal changes of a continent in transition, his beliefs are moulded, and we witness the birth of a terrifying ego.
While not based on a specific dictator, but rather an amalgam of several historical figures, Childhood of a Leader is an incisive examination of Europe’s painful history which chimes with today’s re-emergence of continental tumult. It’s even more impressive for being the debut work from American actor Brady Corbet, best known for his association with the Borderline Films collective that produced distinctive US indies such as Martha Marcy May Marlene, James White and Christine. With an intriguing international cast that includes Bérénice Bejo, Liam Cunningham and Robert Pattinson, performing in mix of different languages, this is a bold, highly confident opening statement from its first-time director; one which has drawn comparisons to Michael Haneke’s similar pre-Fascism parable, The White Ribbon. If that weren’t recommendation enough, the film’s stark visuals are accompanied by a marvellously oppressive orchestral score from the great Scott Walker.
Related
Sometimes I Think About Dying Sometimes I Think About Dying
Drama 2023 94 mins Director: Rachel Lambert
Daisy Ridley stars as a melancholic office worker who fantasises about her own death, in Rachael Lamberts wonderfully offbeat drama.
Our Mothers Our Mothers
Drama 2019 77 mins Director: César Díaz
As Guatemala confronts its violent past, a forensic anthropologist is tasked with identifying the dead, in this affecting Cannes prize-winning drama.
Stephen Stephen
Drama-documentary 2023 78 mins Director: Melanie Manchot
Artist Melanie Manchot’s debut feature is a visually striking film-within-a-film, exploring mental health and addiction.
Red Island Red Island
Drama 2023 117 mins Director: Robin Campillo
French writer-director Robin Campillo offers a searching exploration of memory and politics, in this boldly conceived story of boyhood in 1970s Madagascar.
Drift Drift
Drama 2023 93 mins Director: Anthony Chen
Cynthia Erivo delivers a captivating performance as a young refugee, who after fleeing war-torn Liberia finds hope when she meets a fellow lost soul.
Drifter Drifter
Drama 2023 79 mins Director: Hannes Hirsch
A scintillating portrait of a young man coming to terms with life, love, sex and relationships in contemporary Berlin.
Eve's Bayou Eve's Bayou
Drama 1997 115 mins Director: Kasi Lemmons
Samuel L. Jackson stars in this seething slice of Southern Gothic, about the travails of a Louisiana family bedevilled by infidelity, incest and witchcraft.
Thunder Road Thunder Road
Comedy 2018 90 mins Director: Jim Cummings
Following the death of his mother, an emotionally unstable cop sees his life slowly unravel in this extraordinary tragicomedy.
The Assistant The Assistant
Thriller 2019 87 mins Director: Kitty Green
Kitty Green's #MeToo drama is a sobering take on one day in the life of a film company assistant.
Black Bear Black Bear
Comedy 2020 106 mins Director: Lawrence Michael Levine
At a remote lake house, a filmmaker plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in the pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention.
Reality Reality
Drama 2022 83 mins Director: Tina Satter
Tina Satter uses dialogue taken directly from an FBI transcript of the real-life interrogation of Reality Winner (Sydney Sweeney), in this nail-biting directorial debut.
Sometimes I Think About Dying Sometimes I Think About Dying
Drama 2023 94 mins Director: Rachel Lambert
Daisy Ridley stars as a melancholic office worker who fantasises about her own death, in Rachael Lamberts wonderfully offbeat drama.
Final Cut Final Cut
Comedy 2022 112 mins Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Oscar-winning director Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) pays tribute to moviemaking and behind-the-scenes farce in his adaptation of the cult Japanese zombie comedy One Cut of the Dead.
Redoubtable Redoubtable
Biopic 2017 108 mins Director: Michel Hazanavicius
From the Oscar-winning director of The Artist, a brilliantly realised portrait of France’s maestro director Jean-Luc Godard spiralling into philosophical and romantic crisis.
Sweet Dreams Sweet Dreams
Drama 2016 131 mins Director: Marco Bellocchio
Bérénice Bejo stars in Marco Bellocchio’s stylish drama. A troubled journalist's exploration of his past starts to cathartically change his present.
Sometimes I Think About Dying Sometimes I Think About Dying
Drama 2023 94 mins Director: Rachel Lambert
Daisy Ridley stars as a melancholic office worker who fantasises about her own death, in Rachael Lamberts wonderfully offbeat drama.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus
Documentary 2023 103 mins Director: Neo Sora
This moving tribute to the late composer and musician speaks volumes about his enormous talent, pioneering work and dedication to his craft.
Our Mothers Our Mothers
Drama 2019 77 mins Director: César Díaz
As Guatemala confronts its violent past, a forensic anthropologist is tasked with identifying the dead, in this affecting Cannes prize-winning drama.
Red Herring Red Herring
Documentary 2023 94 mins Director: Kitson Vincent
Following his terminal diagnosis, young filmmaker Kit Vincent sets out to document an intimate and darkly humorous journey in this BIFA nominated documentary.
Robot Dreams Robot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 103 mins Director: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
Stephen Stephen
Drama-documentary 2023 78 mins Director: Melanie Manchot
Artist Melanie Manchot’s debut feature is a visually striking film-within-a-film, exploring mental health and addiction.