description The Selfish Giant Overview
The Selfish Giant portrays the lives of two young boys growing up in post-industrial Bradford during the 2010s. Clio Barnard’s film offers a poignant depiction of poverty and isolation experienced by working-class youth. It explores themes of friendship, loss, and the impact of difficult circumstances on personal development. The narrative resonates particularly with those interested in British social realism and stories about coming-of-age experiences within marginalized communities.
help The Selfish Giant FAQ
Why is Clio Barnard's film called The Selfish Giant?
The title comes from Oscar Wilde's short story, but Barnard relocates its moral concerns to working-class Bradford. The film's "giant" is not a literal fairy-tale figure, and the plot centers on exclusion, exploitation, and a child's capacity for sacrifice.
What do Arbor and Swifty collect in The Selfish Giant?
The boys gather scrap metal and electrical cable, using a horse and cart to sell it to scrapyard owner Kitten. Their work draws them into theft and increasingly dangerous contact with live infrastructure.
Who plays the two boys in The Selfish Giant?
Conner Chapman plays the impulsive Arbor, while Shaun Thomas plays his quieter friend Swifty. Their friendship anchors the film as economic pressure and Kitten's influence pull them toward greater risk.
Where was The Selfish Giant filmed and when was it released?
The drama was filmed around Bradford in West Yorkshire and released in 2013. It premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival and was directed by Clio Barnard.
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