Ken Park (2002)
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The film explores the abusive and dysfunctional lives of four teenagers following the suicide of their mutual acquaintance.
The story
Set in Visalia, California, the film centers on the lives of four teenagers who were connected to Ken Park, a local teenager who takes his own life at a skate park. The narrative follows the distinct, troubled lives of Shawn, Claude, Peaches, and Tate. Each character navigates their own unique brand of trauma, ranging from abusive parental relationships and sexual dysfunction to extreme isolation and erratic behavior. The film explores these interconnected subplots, highlighting the grim realities of their environments and the lack of support systems available to them as they grapple with their respective circumstances.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film begins and ends with Ken Park, a teenager who shoots himself in the temple at a skate park. The story follows four others he knew. Shawn maintains a secret sexual relationship with his girlfriend's mother, Rhonda, while pretending to be a normal family member. Claude suffers from physical and emotional abuse by his alcoholic father, who eventually attempts to perform oral sex on him, causing Claude to flee. Peaches lives with a religious father who views her as a replacement for his deceased wife; he beats her boyfriend and forces her into a quasi-incestuous wedding ritual. Tate, a sadistic boy living with his grandparents, engages in autoerotic asphyxiation and eventually murders his grandparents in a fit of rage, recording his actions for the police. The subplots remain separate until the end, where Shawn, Claude, and Peaches meet for a threesome and discuss a dead acquaintance. A final flashback reveals Ken Park's situation: he had impregnated his girlfriend and was facing a discussion about abortion before his death.
- First release year
- 2002
- Runtime (minutes)
- 93
- Production countries
- United States; Netherlands; France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Larry Clark; Edward Lachman
- Writers
- Harmony Korine · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- James Ransone · Tate; Tiffany Limos · "Peaches"; James Bullard · Shawn; Stephen Jasso · Claude; Adam Chubbuck · Ken Park; Maeve Quinlan · Rhonda; Amanda Plummer · Claude's Pregnant Mother; Wade Williams · Claude's Father
- Genres
- psychological teen film; erotic drama; independent film; nonlinear narrative; skateboarding film
- Themes
- abuse; dysfunction; suicide; sexual activity; parental neglect
- Tone and mood
- controversial; despairing; alienating; shocking
- Premise and plot tags
- teenagers; California; suicide; abuse; erotic
- Source material / true-story basis
- stories and journals by Larry Clark
- Content notes
- graphic sexual content; underage sexual activity
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews, described as a controversial and emotionally dispiriting procedural that highlights negative aspects of life. It was noted for its focus on 'monster' parents and the despair of its characters.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 4.80/10 · scale: 10 · review count: 13
- Production trivia
- The film was not officially shown in the United States since its initial festival screening.; The film was banned in Australia due to its content.; Larry Clark originally wrote a draft but hired Harmony Korine to write the final screenplay.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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