The Workshop 15

Racial, social and economic tensions reach boiling point in this explosive and cerebral drama from Laurent Cantet (winner of 2009’s Palme d’Or for The Class). The film follows the activities of a group of teenagers who are selected to take part in a summer writing workshop with a successful author. Tensions rise when one of the students, the provocative, far-right sympathising Antoine, goads the multi-cultural group with his aggressive behaviour and violent, disturbing writing. The workshop’s leader, Olivia, finds herself both repelled and intrigued by Antoine, and his provocations force her and the rest of the group to deal with uncomfortable questions in a film which fizzes with a thrilling, politically charged energy.