The Players

Countless stories have surfaced of powerful people using their influence to manipulate and control employees within the creative industries, with some of the most notorious being turned into feature films and documentary series. Writer-director Sarah Galea-Davis draws upon her own experiences as a teenager to tell another provocative warning about the toxicity within the arts in The Players.

Set in the summer of 1994, the film sees 15-year-old Emily (Stefani Kimber) become cast in an avant-garde production of Hamlet. Being the youngest cast member, she has nothing but respect for the production’s director, Reinhardt (Eric Johnson), and looks up to her fellow actors. Despite the rehearsals being non-stop and physically demanding, Emily is delighted to be there and is determined to impress Reinhardt to prove that she belongs. However, when she becomes entangled within the power dynamics and complex relationships within the group, she realises that she might be in over her head.

Kimber is spectacular here. Her bright-eyed wonderment captures the excitement of being part of something new and interesting, even if those outside of the production don’t understand the appeal. Audiences, likewise, only get glimpses of scenes and ideas about what the show is supposed to be. It could be terrible, but the concept of setting costumes on fire alongside some expressive choreography is enough to convince her that the show and its creator are genius.

Johnson likewise gives a remarkable performance. Reinhardt is like a marginally less intense but just as dangerous version of Whiplash’s Fletcher. Although his drive to push his actors to achieve perfection doesn’t involve hurling chairs across the room, he is willing to put them in dangerous situations and submit them to humiliation in the name of his art. More concerning, though, is the romantic relationships he forms with some of the female performers. When Emily catches his attention, what starts as attending parties evolves into something more predatory. Galea-Davis navigates this delicate issue with care, ensuring that these moments hit hard without becoming exploitative or tasteless.

Beautifully shot and brilliantly acted, Galea-Davis uses her real-life experience to scrutinise harmful power dynamics within a captivating coming-of-age-style drama.

Andrew Murray

The Players does not have a release date yet.

Read more reviews from our Glasgow Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the Glasgow Film Festival website here.