Children of the Night (Italy, 2016) by Eurochannel
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Beyond Privilege: Andrea De Sica on Children of the Night Boarding Schools and Broken Rules: 5 Films That Expose the Dark Side of Elite Institutions Children of the Night (I figli della notte,2016) Director: Andrea De Sica Presentation: High in the snow-laced mountains, where silence is enforced and rebellion is quietly orchestrated, a boy discovers that freedom may be the most dangerous illusion of all. Eurochannel premieres Children of the Night. In Children of the Night, director Andrea De Sica invites us into a world where privilege and oppression wear the same tailored uniform. Set against the ghostly beauty of the Italian Alps, this haunting coming-of-age thriller follows seventeen-year-old Giulio, a teenager from a wealthy family who’s sent away to an elite boarding school meant to shape the country’s future leaders. But what unfolds behind the institution’s grand stone walls is anything but a noble education. From the moment Giulio arrives, the atmosphere is suffocating—rules govern every second, contact with the outside world is tightly controlled, and the cold corridors echo with silent surveillance. Yet in this manufactured order, Giulio finds an unlikely spark of freedom through his friendship with Edoardo, an eccentric and rebellious classmate. Together, the boys sneak out into the forest, where they stumble upon a hidden underground nightclub, a surreal escape pulsing with music, chaos, and forbidden pleasures. There, they meet Elena, a young woman whose presence begins to challenge their understanding of intimacy, loyalty, and what it means to feel truly alive. What seems at first like innocent rebellion soon turns darker, as Giulio and Edoardo uncover a disturbing truth: their escapades may not be as secret—or unsanctioned—as they thought. The very system meant to crush dissent has been quietly encouraging their transgressions, folding their defiance into its elite curriculum. Freedom, it turns out, is just another illusion, carefully curated to serve the institution’s agenda. Children of the Night is more than a thriller—it’s a sharp dissection of class, power, and the emotional cost of growing up in a world that values control over compassion. De Sica, grandson of cinematic legend Vittorio De Sica, brings a chilling precision to his debut, crafting a story that feels both timeless and unsettlingly modern. The film blends psychological tension with dreamlike horror, its icy visuals and eerie soundtrack creating a mood that lingers like smoke. With standout performances from Vincenzo Crea and Ludovico Succio, the film captures the desperation and raw vulnerability of adolescence. The boys’ bond is tender, volatile, and painfully real—anchoring the story as it spirals into increasingly surreal territory. At once a fairy tale, a nightmare, and a critique of elite education, Children of the Night casts a long shadow. It reminds us that sometimes the most terrifying prisons are the ones dressed up as privilege—and that the search for identity can lead us to the darkest places, especially when we’re told who we’re supposed to be. Synopsis: Awards and festivals: |
