The Student - December 19, 2019

When Venya's mother receives a call from school reporting her son's refusal to participate in mixed swimming lessons, she just thinks he's being shy, claiming that it is "against his religion." As Venya is finally exempted by the school's devout principal, he realises that his rigorous study of the Bible gives him the ability to manipulate all forms of authority. Challenged by a teacher who refuses to consent to his dogma, he sets out to eliminate her and subdue an entire community. At a time when arguments over the teaching of religion in public schools are prominent in the media, this wildly escalating classroom drama - based on a play by German playwright Marius von Mayenburg - serves as a frightening cautionary tale.

The Student was broadcast on SBS ONE at Thursday 19 December 2019, 13:00.