Boyhood Under Pressure: ‘The Plague’ Captures the Visceral Reality of Adolescence

Another boy, Ben, faces a moral dilemma. He struggles between helping the outcast and fearing the group’s wrath.

Polinger drew from his own uncomfortable experiences. He spent two summers at an all-boys sports camp as a child.

Old journals and photos sparked a flood of memories. He began writing down the chaotic feelings of being twelve.

Polinger describes the age as uniquely unhinged. He notes it is a time of emerging consciousness and hormonal chaos.

The film is set in 2003. Authenticity was crucial for Polinger and his crew.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the production team sourced period items from their own pasts. They gathered old clothes, game consoles, and specific snacks.

The pool was available all summer. The team was away competing in the Olympics.

Polinger aimed for a timeless feel. He wanted the setting to feel slightly surreal, not consumed by period details.

He established clear boundaries between scenes and downtime. This helped the young performers feel secure.

One scene required particular sensitivity. A camper experiences a humiliating public moment.

This built trust and confidence for the young actor. It also freed the other boys to portray meanness without guilt.

Polinger explains the film’s delicate tone. He says at age twelve, everything can flip from funny to serious in an instant.

Viewers often share their own childhood stories after screenings. The film unlocks a universal memory of that turbulent age.

Polinger hopes his work sparks recognition. He wants to show the visceral reality of growing up.