ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ruben Östlund's 'The Square' Satirizes Art World and Human Nature

other · 2026-05-05

Ruben Östlund's film 'The Square,' winner of the Palme d'Or at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, is now released in Italy by Teodora Film. The Swedish director, known for 'Force Majeure' (2014), continues his critique of social and cultural imbalances. The story follows Christian, curator of a contemporary art museum in Stockholm, who is pickpocketed while helping a distressed woman. Using technology, he tracks his phone to an apartment building and sends a threatening letter to all residents, triggering a series of comedic mishaps. The film centers on an installation titled 'The Square,' a neon-lit perimeter where everyone has equal rights and duties. A memorable scene features a man in a gorilla costume disrupting a gala dinner, embodying the animalistic side of humanity. Östlund's humor is described as politically incorrect yet impeccable. Pedro Almodóvar, jury president at Cannes, praised the film. Sweden has selected 'The Square' as its entry for the upcoming Oscars.

Key facts

  • Ruben Östlund directed 'The Square'
  • The film won the Palme d'Or at the 70th Cannes Film Festival
  • Distributed in Italy by Teodora Film
  • Protagonist Christian is a curator at a Stockholm contemporary art museum
  • The Square is a neon-lit installation symbolizing equal rights and duties
  • A gorilla-suited performer disrupts a gala dinner
  • Pedro Almodóvar was jury president at Cannes
  • Sweden submitted 'The Square' for the Oscars

Entities

Artists

  • Ruben Östlund
  • Pedro Almodóvar

Institutions

  • Teodora Film
  • Cannes Film Festival
  • Academy Awards (Oscars)

Locations

  • Stockholm
  • Sweden
  • Italy

Sources