Elephant

Original Name: Elephant
Country: United States
Direction: Gus Van Sant
Script: Gus Van Sant
Genre: Crime, Drama
Length: 81 minutes
Year: 2003

This movie is very interesting. First because it's based on real events. It portrays the tragedy that happened on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School. It's located in the city of Littleton, Colorado (United States). There, two seniors students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, were responsible for killing thirteen people - twelve students and one teacher.

Also worth watching the film because of the way it speaks of adolescence. Scenes that show the confusion of the youthful mind are merged with classical music. Sad moments are alternated with happy moments, making it almost impossible to know if young people shown on the screen are satisfied with their lives or completely unhappy.

The film shows almost the view that parents have of their children. It's like having an elephant sitting next to you on the dining table. You know how big the problem is, but you keep pretending that all is well, that there's nothing to worry about*.

"Elephant" was produced by Dany Wolf and is the first movie produced by HBO Films.

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* The movie title is inspired in a quote from the writer Bernard MacLaverty, that says: "problems with adolescents is like having an elephant in the dining room and pretend that it does not exist".