Boyhood Under Pressure: ‘The Plague’ Captures the Visceral Reality of Adolescence

A new independent film is capturing global attention for its raw depiction of boyhood. “The Plague” arrives in theaters this December after a celebrated premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film is also nominated for a major award. It is up for Best Feature at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards.

Advertisement

Director Charlie Polinger explores a difficult summer for 12-year-olds. He focuses on the intense social pressures at a water polo camp.

The story centers on a camper ostracized for a skin condition. Other boys cruelly label his eczema “the plague.”

Another boy, Ben, faces a moral dilemma. He struggles between helping the outcast and fearing the group’s wrath.

Polinger drew from his own uncomfortable experiences. He spent two summers at an all-boys sports camp as a child.

Finding Authenticity in Childhood Artifacts

The director found inspiration during the pandemic. He cleaned out his childhood bedroom while recovering from COVID-19.

Old journals and photos sparked a flood of memories. He began writing down the chaotic feelings of being twelve.

Polinger describes the age as uniquely unhinged. He notes it is a time of emerging consciousness and hormonal chaos.

He called friends to collect more stories. The goal was to find common threads in the tween boy experience.

The film is set in 2003. Authenticity was crucial for Polinger and his crew.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the production team sourced period items from their own pasts. They gathered old clothes, game consoles, and specific snacks.

Filming occurred at a unique location. The crew selected an indoor pool in Romania normally used by the national water polo team.

The pool was available all summer. The team was away competing in the Olympics.

Polinger aimed for a timeless feel. He wanted the setting to feel slightly surreal, not consumed by period details.

Directing Young Actors with Care and Respect

The cast is almost entirely young teenagers. Polinger treated them with the same respect as adult actors.

He established clear boundaries between scenes and downtime. This helped the young performers feel secure.

One scene required particular sensitivity. A camper experiences a humiliating public moment.

The intimacy coordinator suggested a helpful exercise. Everyone on set took a turn being the person laughed at.

This built trust and confidence for the young actor. It also freed the other boys to portray meanness without guilt.

Polinger explains the film’s delicate tone. He says at age twelve, everything can flip from funny to serious in an instant.

The film has resonated strongly with audiences. Its exploration of boyhood and group dynamics feels timely and prescient.

Viewers often share their own childhood stories after screenings. The film unlocks a universal memory of that turbulent age.

Polinger hopes his work sparks recognition. He wants to show the visceral reality of growing up.

“The Plague” offers a stark, authentic window into the world of adolescent boys. This powerful coming-of-age story captures the intense pressure and moral confusion of youth. The film’s exploration of boyhood is both specific and deeply relatable.