SPECIAL EVENTS

HARD CANDY

2005/ 104 min / color

Jeff (Patrick Wilson) is a 32-year-old photographer who is well-established, both professionally and socially. Hayley (Elliot Page) is a precocious and determined 14-year-old. They share a sense of loneliness and curiosity, and a love of Internet chat rooms. They have just met in virtual reality, and after a few weeks of regular conversations they arrange to meet in a coffee shop. Despite the initial shock, mainly related to the age gap between them, the meeting quickly moves to Jeff’s house, where he proposes a spicy photo shoot. The situation becomes increasingly tense and fraught with uncertainty. This is just the beginning of a surprising game which will beg the question: who is the real victim here? David Slade’s audacious, gripping film boldly plays with genre clichés and the viewer’s expectations. Largely due to the on-screen showdown between Patrick Wilson and Elliot Page, this intimate tale, written for two strong voices, delivers powerful emotions that exceed all expectations.

photo “Hard Candy” promotional materials

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