Ewald moved to Romania years ago. Now in his 40s, he seeks a fresh start. Leaving his girlfriend, he moves to the hinterland. With young boys from the area, he transforms a decaying school into a fortress. The children enjoy a new, carefree existence. But the distrust of the villagers is soon awoken. And Ewald is forced to confront a truth he has long suppressed. Sparta is the brother film to Rimini (2022), and the conclusion of Ulrich Seidl's diptych about the inescapability of the past and the pain of finding yourself.
Its an almost impossible movie to recommend. Not because its anything short of an incredible achievement in performance and themes. But because you tell the wrong person to watch this and they will not get it. This movie reminds me of the phrase, stupid people shouldn't read smart books. Watch the movie, if you are incensed and indignant at seeing this movie as an attempt at humanizing and justifying sexual exploitation of children, then you shouldn't have read this movie. Also, stop violently beating your children you sadistic, sick fuck.