Sleeping Giant

At an isolated lake house in rural Ontario, three boys pass the time, waiting for summer to end and pining for something to happen. Nate and Riley, two rough-around-the-edges cousins vacationing with Nate’s grandmother, meet Adam, a gentle teen staying with his parents. Adam shows little aggression, yet his frustration chooses to manifest itself in more emotional forms. Nate and Riley show off their toxic, overbearing masculinity on a daily basis. They direct their machismo at every person they come into contact with, Adam being their most notable target. A dangerously high cliff on a remote island has a mysterious allure for all three boys. Each is drawn to it for a seemingly different reason. Andrew Cividino’s naturalistic debut is a crucial coming-of-age tale that perfectly captures what it’s like to be different in a masculine-dominated society. SLEEPING GIANT has a talented young cast, stunning locales, and a soaring musical score, which all anchor it as a film that appeals to families and those in search of liberation. –C.P.