My Summer Lair Chapter #105: What Is Level 16?
Level 16 is a dystopian thriller film written and directed by Danishka Esterhazy. And unfortunately for my guest Katie Douglas she’s made it all the way to Level 16.
The Level 16 breakdown:
“The walled-in world of 16-year-old Vivien is and always has been the Vestalis boarding school, supposedly a refuge from an outside world rendered toxic. It’s a neglected, antiseptic institution where girls without families are monitored, their day scheduled practically to the minute, and “education” consists of a constantly repeated list of “feminine virtues” – obedience, cleanliness, patience and humility – preached by a matriarch and propagandized in moral-hygiene films.
And, as per her age, Vivien has reached “Level 16” in her education and is ostensibly ready to be adopted by an outside family. But her friend Sophia thinks something else is going on at Vestalis, something frightening.”
This pertinent movie is timely and timeless because the issues it addresses like being a “good girl” are evolving. Ideas don’t remain static. As you’ll hear with my interview with Katie Douglas who plays Vivien.
Level 16 won 4 Bloodies at the recent Blood in the Snow Film Festival including Best Actress (Katie Douglas) and Best Director. Yeah!
Level 16 is playing at a cinema near you and as Katie and I can confirm: it is worth pants.
The trailer:
