Cleaners (2019)

"That person doesn't exist who is as foolish and misunderstood as myself"

Eight student Cleaners have their stories told in a surreal manner that straddled reality and animation as if in a memory round robin. What is dirty? What is clean? And does it really matter?

I. Intro

II. Nutrition Month
Stephanie, who has OCD, comes face to face with her worst dirty nightmare. It will either cure her OCD or traumatize her for life.

III. National Language Month
Angeli, the class president, is stuck with three skateboard slackers (Eman, Arnold, & Lester) for a folk-dance contest. Can the three “dirty” boys find a way to clean up and make the dance work?

IV. Prom
The class “dirty” girl, Britney, is slapped down by the patriarchal view of chastity for girls but not for boys. Francis takes drastic measures for his dirty hooded problem.

V. Youth Council
Junjun’s dad, who is the mayor, has political ambitions for his son that go beyond the student council. The parents are willing to get their hands filthy to help him win. JJ finds that dirty politics can be like a bridge to nowhere.

VI. Last Day
The cleaners cleanse themselves in a primal song of rage.

Cleaners played out like a darker Breakfast Club. The film style looked like staticky memories in a year book come to life and decorated with bright highlighters. Most of the stories had a ring of truth to them even if at least three scenes were gross to observe. Life is messy and these kids found ways to enjoy themselves even if they got dirty doing it.

17 April 2025
Trigger warnings: Long poop sequence, self-mutilation, vomiting, penis scene and penis "art"

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