Epoch Times Blog

Foreign short Film-maker Jens Johnson brings this odd tale to the screen, and if there was ever a pointed moment to use the phrase “lost in translation” it certainly came with this Sundance screening. The film centers on Rille a portly clad 16 year old in Sweden, whose looks have fatally left him to be the laughing stock of the ‘cool kids’ from his school. Few school girls turn to look his way, if only to view his girth rather than one done in furtive style. His only refuge is the sport of ping pong, for which his reigns in skill as ‘king’. Rille and his more popular, and more fit, younger brother Erik enjoy their time together, yet often their sibling rivalries, which often are played out on ping pong table with the wager of a Zinga (orange cola) without fail won by Rille. Drama plays out on screen with Rille and Erik’s heavier set mother, her shop-owning boyfriend, and their alcoholic deep-sea diving father. Eventually a long held secret is revealed leading Rille and Erik’s sibling rivalry to grow into something far greater.

Foreign Independent films are one of the crowning jewels of film festivals such a Sundance, yet often times the essence of a film does not effectively translate with subtitles…or maybe that is what make a film great; if the film medium can bridge the gap that written language cannot. Whatever the case, “The King of Ping Pong” wasn’t quite a well received as some of the other films today. Who knows? It could be film-goers don’t like ping pong!