Murtada Elfadl The melancholy, fable-like French drama “Eternal Playground” has a glowing warmth from its very first moments.
That comes from the open beaming face of its lead actor, Andranic Manet. He plays Gaspard, a young music teacher in Paris who’s grieving the death of his twin sister.
As he wishes his students a good summer on the last day of school, the actor’s face registers the promise and possibility that may come while adding a bittersweet tinge of what may never be regained, setting the tone for co-directors Pablo Cotten and Joseph Rozé’s story of friendship and growing up.
Soon after, Gaspard’s five best friends arrive to spend a few days with him in the empty school building. They all used to be students there and have come together to honor Gapsrd’s sister Louise, whose last wish was for all of them to gather and reclaim the fun, frivolity and innocence they shared as middle schoolers.
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