My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea

My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea 2017

Directed by

Dash Shaw

Dash Shaw

Made by

GKIDS

GKIDS

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2017). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Dash and his best friend Assaf are navigating their sophomore year at Tides High School, which precariously rests on a cliff above a fault line. Together, they contribute to the school newspaper, under the guidance of their mutual friend Verti. However, everything takes a turn when Verti decides to assign Assaf a solo piece on the grand opening of the new auditorium situated on the top floor. Observing the budding rapport between Assaf and Verti ignites a sense of betrayal in Dash, leading him to pen a scathing article about Assaf that leaves a lasting mark on his permanent record, much to Principal Grimm’s dismay.

In a quest for redemption, Dash infiltrates the school archives to uncover his record, but instead, he stumbles upon incriminating evidence that reveals Grimm’s forgery of the auditorium inspection report. During this escapade, he encounters Mary, an ambitious junior on a mission to retrieve her confiscated cellphone. Their attempt to alert the student body about the misplaced trust in their school administration lands them in detention, coinciding with the disastrous opening of the auditorium, which causes the school to plummet into the ocean.

In a moment of chaos, Dash bravely rescues Assaf and Verti from the sophomore library. Verti devises a plan for them to navigate through the seawater by utilizing trapped pockets of air to breathe. Though Dash finds himself in a near-drowning situation, he is saved by Lunch Lady Lorraine. Meanwhile, on the junior floor, teachers struggle to maintain order among the surviving students. Lorraine steps in to quell the rising tensions and showcases her unexpected survival skills by rescuing Verti from a group of unruly students dealing drugs. The courageous group, including Lorraine and Mary, decides to make their way to the roof, even though others are hesitant to join.

Upon reaching the senior level, they encounter Brent Daniels who has formed a cult-like group around him. It is at this point they confront Principal Grimm, who admits to his forgery and guides them to scale the auditorium bleachers to reach safety, ultimately sacrificing himself to ensure their escape. The group makes it to the roof just as rescue helicopters descend. Lorraine manages to save several other students, while a few utilize a makeshift raft to reach safety. In the aftermath, Dash and Assaf pledge to document their harrowing experience in a book.

Fast forward several weeks, the surviving students are partaking in a celebration for the release of Dash and Assaf’s book titled Our Entire High School Sinking into the Sea. Unfortunately, the reviews are less than flattering, critically addressing Dash’s overly complex writing style. As the party winds down, Lorraine reminds Dash that she has an entire new class of students to look after, before she exits the scene.

Timeline

Track the key events of My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2017) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Introduction to Tides High School

Dash and his best friend Assaf are introduced as sophomores navigating the challenges of Tides High School. With its precarious location above a fault line, the school serves as the central setting for their adventures and misadventures.

Tides High School

The School Newspaper Assignment

Under the guidance of their mutual friend Verti, Dash and Assaf work together for the school newspaper. A significant change occurs when Verti assigns Assaf a solo piece on the grand opening of the new auditorium, which creates tension among the trio.

Tides High School

Dash's Betrayal

Feeling betrayed by Assaf's growing rapport with Verti, Dash writes a scathing article about Assaf. The article leaves a lasting mark on Assaf's permanent record, much to the dismay of Principal Grimm, setting off a chain of events.

Tides High School

Infiltrating the Archives

In his quest for redemption, Dash sneaks into the school archives to examine his own record. Instead of finding what he seeks, he uncovers evidence of Principal Grimm's wrongdoing, specifically the forgery of the auditorium inspection report.

School Archives, Tides High School

A Chance Encounter with Mary

During his investigation, Dash meets Mary, an ambitious junior trying to retrieve her confiscated cellphone. They team up to inform their peers about the corruption within the school administration, but their plan leads to unexpected consequences.

Tides High School

Detention and Disaster

Dash and Mary end up in detention coinciding with the disastrous opening of the auditorium. Due to a catastrophic failure, the school begins to tip into the ocean, leading to chaos and panic among the students.

Tides High School Auditorium

Brave Rescue Attempt

Amidst the chaos, Dash heroically rescues Assaf and Verti from the flooding sophomore library. Using ingenuity, Verti suggests they create pockets of air to breathe while trying to escape the rapidly rising seawater.

Sophomore Library, Tides High School

Lunch Lady Lorraine's Intervention

In a shocking twist, Dash is saved from near-drowning by Lunch Lady Lorraine. As tensions escalate among teachers and students, Lorraine steps up as a leader, showcasing her unexpected survival skills.

Junior Floor, Tides High School

Climbing to Safety

The courageous group, including Lorraine and Mary, decides to ascend to the roof for safety, despite reluctance from others. This moment demonstrates their bravery and determination to survive the disaster unfolding around them.

Tides High School Roof

The Cult of Brent Daniels

Upon reaching the senior level, the group encounters Brent Daniels and his cult-like followers. Tension escalates as they confront Principal Grimm, who finally admits to his role in the chaos and offers guidance for their escape.

Senior Level, Tides High School

Sacrifice for Survival

In a selfless act, Principal Grimm sacrifices himself to aid the students' escape from the collapsing school. His confession of forgery provides a pivotal moment as the group navigates the auditoriums bleachers towards safety.

Tides High School

Rescue Arrives

Just as hope seems lost, rescue helicopters arrive to save the surviving students. Lorraine shows remarkable bravery by rescuing several more students as they work together to utilize makeshift rafts to escape.

Tides High School Roof

Documenting the Experience

In the aftermath of their harrowing ordeal, Dash and Assaf make a pact to document their experiences in a book. Their storytelling aims to shed light on the chaos and bravery that defined their time during the disaster.

Celebration and Criticism

Weeks later, Dash and Assaf's book, *Our Entire High School Sinking into the Sea*, is celebrated by surviving students. However, the reviews turn sour, criticizing Dash's complex writing style, leading to mixed feelings about their accomplishments.

A Farewell to Lorraine

As the celebration party winds down, Lorraine reminds Dash of her responsibility towards a new class of students. Her exit marks a poignant moment, highlighting the bonds formed and the lingering impacts of their shared experience.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2017) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Dash

Dash is a complex character grappling with jealousy and insecurity throughout the story. His impulsive actions lead to conflict with his best friend, Assaf, yet he ultimately seeks redemption and demonstrates bravery during the crisis. Dash's journey reflects the challenges of adolescent emotions and personal growth.

🧑‍🎤 Teenager ⚔️ Jealousy 🌊 Survivor

Assaf

Assaf is portrayed as a talented student and writer who finds himself at the center of Dash's jealousy. His relationship with Verti complicates his friendship with Dash, but he remains resilient amid the chaos. Assaf's character showcases the struggle between ambition and loyalty, representing the challenges of teenage relationships.

📝 Writer 🤝 Loyal Friend 🚀 Ambitious

Verti

Verti is a guiding figure in Dash and Assaf's school life, supporting their endeavors in the school newspaper. Her decision to assign Assaf a solo piece sparks jealousy in Dash. Ultimately, Verti helps orchestrate their escape during the disaster, highlighting her resourcefulness and leadership attributes.

📚 Supportive 👩‍🎓 Leader 💡 Resourceful

Lunch Lady Lorraine

Lunch Lady Lorraine is unexpectedly heroic, demonstrating her survival skills and leadership when chaos engulfs the school. She plays a pivotal role in calming the students and rescuing them, showing that bravery can come from the most unexpected places. Her character adds depth and warmth to the story.

👩‍🍳 Heroic 🍴 Nurturer 🦸‍♀️ Brave

Setting

Uncover the settings of My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2017), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events of the movie unfold during a contemporary high school setting, highlighting the struggles and transformations of students facing typical adolescent issues. The storyline intersects with themes of betrayal, ambition, and survival amidst chaos, all while capturing a snapshot of modern teenage life.

Location

Tides High School, the ocean

Tides High School is precariously perched on a cliff above a fault line, representing the challenges of adolescence and the unpredictability of life. The school becomes a central hub of activity, showcasing both academic endeavors and the tumultuous relationships among its students. When disaster strikes, the nearby ocean dramatically reshapes their environment and their lives.

🏫 School 🌊 Ocean

Themes

Explore the core themes of My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2017). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💔

Betrayal

The theme of betrayal profoundly influences the relationships among the characters, particularly between Dash and Assaf. Dash's feelings of jealousy prompt him to lash out, leading to significant consequences that affect their friendship. This theme underscores the emotional turmoil teenagers experience while navigating friendships in high school.

🚨

Survival

Survival emerges as a critical theme as characters confront life-threatening challenges when the school sinks into the ocean. Their journey to escape danger showcases resilience, bravery, and teamwork in the face of adversity. It highlights the instinctive drive to protect friends and the community in the most perilous situations.

🎓

Growth

The narrative also touches on the theme of personal growth and maturity. Through their trials, characters like Dash and Assaf learn valuable lessons about responsibility, trust, and friendship. Their experiences encourage them to reflect on their actions and emerge stronger, aiming for redemption and understanding.

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