# The Square

> 2017 film directed by Ruben Östlund

**Wikidata**: [Q27237522](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27237522)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Square_(2017_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-square

## Summary

The Square is a comedy drama and satirical film. It received the Palme d'Or[1][2]. At the European Film Awards it won Best Film, Best Comedy, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Screenwriter, plus two additional awards[1][2].

## Summary
The Square is a 2017 Swedish satirical drama film directed by Ruben Östlund. It premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or, and explores themes of trust, responsibility, and the art world through the story of a museum curator.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Ruben Östlund, a Swedish filmmaker born in 1974
- Released in 2017, with multiple international premiere dates including August 25, 2017, and November 23, 2017
- Won the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival
- Produced by Plattform Produktion, Film i Väst, and Sveriges Television (SVT)
- Co-produced by Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden
- Runtime of 152 minutes
- Budget of approximately 5.5 million USD
- IMDb rating of 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes score of 85%, Metacritic score of 73/100
- Genre classified as comedy drama and satirical drama
- Official website: https://www.squarethefilm.com/
- Wikidata ID: Q21483823
- IMDb ID: tt4995790
- Distributed internationally by Magnolia Pictures and other distributors

## FAQs

**What is The Square about?**
The Square is a satirical drama that follows Christian, a respected contemporary art museum curator in Stockholm, as he navigates professional challenges and personal crises. The film uses the metaphor of an art installation called "The Square" to explore themes of trust, social responsibility, and the disconnect between ideals and reality in modern society.

**Who directed The Square and what is their background?**
The Square was directed by Ruben Östlund, a Swedish filmmaker born in 1974. Östlund is known for his sharp social commentary and distinctive visual style, having previously directed films like Force Majeure (2014). He co-wrote the screenplay with Erik Hemmendorff and produced the film through his company Plattform Produktion.

**What awards did The Square win?**
The Square won the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious award in international cinema. It also received numerous other accolades including the European Film Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Claes Bang), and Best Screenwriter in 2017, establishing it as one of the most celebrated films of that year.

**Who are the main actors in The Square?**
The film stars Claes Bang as Christian, the museum curator, alongside Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, and Terry Notary. The cast also includes Christopher Læssø, Lise Stephenson Engström, and Elijandro Edouard. The performances were widely praised, particularly Bang's portrayal of the conflicted protagonist.

**What countries were involved in producing The Square?**
The Square was a collaborative production involving Sweden, Denmark, France, and Germany. Swedish companies Plattform Produktion and Film i Väst led the production, with co-production support from Danish company Zentropa, French company Les Films du Losange, and German company Essential Filmproduktion.

## Why It Matters
The Square matters as a significant work of contemporary cinema that successfully bridges art house sensibilities with mainstream accessibility. Its Palme d'Or win at Cannes elevated it to international prominence and validated Östlund's approach to social satire through cinema. The film tackles complex themes about modern society, social media, class divisions, and the role of art institutions in contemporary culture, making it relevant to both film enthusiasts and general audiences. Its success demonstrated that challenging, thought-provoking cinema could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial viability, influencing subsequent approaches to satirical filmmaking and art world representation in popular culture.

## Notable For
- Winning the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival
- Being the first Swedish film to win the Palme d'Or since 1951
- Sweeping the 2017 European Film Awards with wins in five categories
- Its sharp critique of contemporary art world pretensions and social media culture
- Featuring a memorable scene involving a performance artist ape-man that went viral
- Achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success internationally
- Demonstrating Ruben Östlund's distinctive directorial voice and thematic preoccupations
- Its exploration of trust, responsibility, and social contracts in modern society

## Body

### Production and Development
The Square was produced by Plattform Produktion, the production company founded by director Ruben Östlund and producer Erik Hemmendorff. The film received support from multiple production companies including Film i Väst (Sweden), Zentropa (Denmark), Les Films du Losange (France), and Essential Filmproduktion (Germany). The screenplay was written by Östlund and Hemmendorff, with the story originating from Östlund's observations about social behavior and institutional responsibility. Filming took place primarily in Stockholm, Sweden, with additional scenes shot in other European locations.

### Creative Team
Ruben Östlund served as director, writer, and producer, bringing his distinctive vision to the project. Erik Hemmendorff co-wrote the screenplay and produced through Plattform Produktion. The cinematography was handled by Fredrik Wenzel, who had previously collaborated with Östlund on Force Majeure. Editing was done by Östlund himself along with Mikel Cee Karlsson. The production design was created by Josefine Åhänger, creating the contemporary art museum settings that serve as the film's primary location.

### Cast and Performances
Claes Bang stars as Christian, the museum curator whose professional and personal life unravels throughout the film. Elisabeth Moss plays Anne, an American journalist who becomes romantically involved with Christian. Dominic West appears as Julian, an artist whose work is featured in the museum. Terry Notary delivers a memorable performance as Oleg, a performance artist who portrays an ape-man in a controversial museum installation. The supporting cast includes Christopher Læssø, Lise Stephenson Engström, and Elijandro Edouard, all contributing to the film's exploration of social dynamics.

### Distribution and Release
The Square premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2017, where it competed for the Palme d'Or. Following its Cannes success, the film had theatrical releases in multiple countries throughout late 2017 and early 2018. In Sweden, it was released on August 25, 2017, while other territories saw releases in October and November 2017. Magnolia Pictures handled distribution in the United States, while various international distributors managed releases in other markets. The film's festival run included screenings at Toronto, New York, and London film festivals.

### Critical Reception
The Square received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Critics praised Östlund's sharp satirical approach, the film's visual composition, and the performances, particularly Claes Bang's lead role. The film holds a 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 223 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 73 out of 100 based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews." The film's exploration of contemporary social issues and its critique of the art world resonated strongly with critics and audiences alike.

### Awards and Recognition
The Square's most significant achievement was winning the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, considered the highest honor in international cinema. At the 2017 European Film Awards, it won five awards: Best Film, Best Director (Östlund), Best Actor (Claes Bang), Best Screenwriter (Östlund and Hemmendorff), and Best Sound Designer (Östlund and Jens Rosenlund Petersen). The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, representing Sweden in the category.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Square generated significant cultural discussion about the role of contemporary art institutions and the nature of social responsibility in modern society. The film's viral marketing campaign, which included provocative art installations and social media engagement, mirrored the themes explored in the movie itself. The performance art scene featuring Terry Notary as the ape-man became particularly memorable and widely discussed, demonstrating the film's ability to create lasting cultural moments. The film's success helped establish Ruben Östlund as a major international filmmaker and influenced subsequent approaches to satirical cinema.

### Technical Aspects
The film was shot digitally using Arri Alexa cameras, with Fredrik Wenzel's cinematography emphasizing static compositions and carefully framed shots that contribute to the film's satirical tone. The editing, handled by Östlund and Karlsson, employs long takes and deliberate pacing to create tension and highlight social awkwardness. The sound design, which won awards, uses both diegetic and non-diegetic elements to enhance the film's satirical impact. The production design creates a believable contemporary art museum environment that serves as both setting and metaphor for the film's themes.

### Related Works and Connections
The Square connects to Ruben Östlund's broader filmography, sharing thematic concerns with his previous works like Force Majeure and his later film Triangle of Sadness. The film's exploration of social dynamics and institutional critique places it within a tradition of satirical cinema that includes works by directors like Michael Haneke and Yorgos Lanthimos. The collaboration between Swedish, Danish, French, and German production companies reflects the increasingly international nature of European cinema production. The film's success at European awards demonstrates the strength of European co-productions in creating internationally successful art cinema.

## References

1. filmportal.de
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. IMDb
4. [Source](https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/the-square)
5. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2017.768.0.html)
6. [The Square (2017) - Company credits - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/companycredits/#co0173482)
7. [The Square (2017) - Company credits - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/companycredits/#co0001935)
8. [The Square (2017) - Company credits - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/companycredits/#co0004535)
9. [The Square (2017) - Company credits - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/companycredits/#co0079546)
10. [The Square (2017) - Company credits - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/companycredits/#co0473978)
11. [The Square (2017) - Company credits - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/companycredits/#co0063732)
12. [Essential Filmproduktion [DE] - Production Companies - Cineuropa](https://cineuropa.org/prodcompany/26061/#cl)
13. The Movie Database
14. MusicBrainz
15. The Square. Rotten Tomatoes
16. [The Square (2017) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4995790/#faq)
17. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmawards.eu/en_EN/film/the-square.9304)
18. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?type=MOVIE&itemid=80339)
19. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
20. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2017.770.0.html)
21. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2017.769.0.html)
22. [Tomas Eskilsson - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1052445/#credits)
23. BBC Things
24. [Source](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-palme-dor-winner-ruben-ostlund-square-breaking-art-house-conventions-1008896)
25. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/square-2017)
26. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=282262)
27. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
28. [Source](http://www.cnc.fr/web/fr/rechercher-une-oeuvre/-/visa/145561)
29. Cineplex
30. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/news/confira-a-lista-de-filmes-que-entram-em-cartaz-nos-cinemas)
31. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
32. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/175017/34/175017/1/209.pdf)
33. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15657)
34. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=405)
35. Bechdel Test Movie List
36. Danish Film Database
37. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=409007)
38. Kanopy
39. Trakt.tv
40. FilmVandaag.nl