Sister

 

Kacey Mottet Klein and Lea Seydoux in Sister

Ursula Meier's Sister, from 2012, concerns Simon, a twelve year old living alone with his sister near a Swiss ski resort. Simon spends most of his time at the resort filching what he can (skis, gloves, masks, sandwiches), so he can resell the items and support himself and his feckless sibling. Meier pictures the economic and social marginalization of Simon and his sister while never depriving them of their agency. 

After establishing Simon's bona fides as a budding capitalist and juvenile delinquent, the film takes an even darker tone in its second half. His sister is not who she appears to be and Simon learns the limits of transactional relationships. Kacey Mottet Klein as Simon and Lea Seydoux as his sister offer fully rounded and believable performances. It is a testament to Meier's skill that she wrings satisfactory performances from the many children in the film. Gillian Anderson is suitably icy as a rich tourist. Sister is a potent and bleak film that offers no easy answers for its protagonist's plight. Neorealism with teeth.