Long synopsis : A subterranean rumbling resonates in the heart of a forest. Hidden by foliage, a metal grate reveals underground passageways, which lead to the cellars of five houses scattered throughout a great park. The park is cut off from the outside world by a huge wall with no door. In one of these houses, a group of girls aged between seven and twelve gathers around a coffin. The coffin lid opens, revealing a six-year-old girl. Her name is Iris. Bianca, the eldest of the group, introduces Iris into this strange but pleasant boarding school, home to some thirty little girls. There are no adults here, save for several old servants and two young teachers: Mademoiselle Edith and Mademoiselle Eva. Iris very quickly discovers the rules of the school, where teaching centres on dance, physical education and biology. Obedience is paramount, and any boarder who would rebel and try to escape is condemned to remain in the park and serve the others forever. Time passes and Iris grows accustomed to her new life. But she is troubled by a mystery: every evening at nine, when the lamps are lit, the subterranean rumbling returns and Bianca leaves the house to attend a secret meeting. One evening, Iris follows her to the big house where the teachers live. Inside, all seems deserted. Even Bianca appears to have vanished into thin air…

Cast

• Zoé Auclair, Lea Bridarolli, Bérangère Haubruge, Marion Cotillard, Hélène de Fougerolles, Olga Peytavi-Müller

Crew

• Producer(s): Patrick Sobelman
• Director(s): Lucile Hadzihalilovic
• Screenplay: Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Frank Wedekind
• DP: Benoit Debie
• Editing: ADAM FINCH
• Original Music: Richard Cooke
• Set Design: Arnaud de Moleron

• Original Title: ECOLE (L')
• Genre(s): Drama, Mystery


• Production company: EX NIHILO, BLUELIGHT, ATELIERS DE BAERE (LES), UK FILM COUNCIL, LOVE STREAMS AGNES B. PRODUCTIONS, GIMAGES FILMS
• Production date: 2003
• Language: French
• Duration: 115 min

• Toronto International Film Festival 2004
  
• San Sebastian Film Festival 2004
  Award(s) : Best New Director
• BFI London Film Festival 2004
  
• Stockholm Film Festival 2004
  Award(s) : Best Cinematography, Bronze Horse
• Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2004
  
• Sitges Film Festival 2004
  
• International Film Festival Rotterdam 2005
  
• Mar del Plata International Film Festival 2005
  
• Istanbul Film Festival 2005
  Award(s) : FIPRESCI Prize, People's Choice Award
• JeonJu International Film Festival 2005
  
• Sydney Film Festival 2005
  
• Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 2005
  Award(s) : Best Feature Film, Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award
• Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2005
  
• Melbourne International Film Festival 2005
  
• Sarajevo Film Festival 2005
  
• Helsinki International Film Festival - Love & Anarchy 2005
  
• Filmfest Hamburg 2005
  
• Festival do Rio 2005
  
• T-Mobile New Horizons International Film Festival 2006
  
• International Film Festival Bratislava 2006
  
• Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival 2005
  Award(s) : Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film in Silver - Honorable Mention