Gruesome Playground Injuries

Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries is a darkly humorous exploration of love and friendship. Doug and Kayleen are 8 years old when they meet for the first time in the school nurse’s office. Doug has injured his face attempting a stunt on his bike while Kayleen has sought relief for a stomach ache. They are both in pain but find a strange relief in each other's presence. Over the next 30 years, we meet Doug and Kayleen under increasingly grisly circumstances. Doug is convinced that Kayleen has the power to heal him while Kayleen is unsure if she can even heal herself. Each injury brings them closer together but how much pain can a person tolerate? 

Tender and humane, Gruesome Playground Injuries reflects on our capacity to care for each other and delivers a funny new perspective on how pain shapes our relationships. 

Directed by Harrison MacDonald