Graduation

A middle-aged doctor who is a devoted father to Eliza. He grapples with the temptation to fix exam results to secure her future, arguing that the plan merely bypasses bureaucracy. His choices reveal a tolerant view of corruption, clashing with his wife’s ethics and his own conscience.

An 18-year-old student with a Cambridge scholarship in sight, she must balance high-stakes exams with a recent assault that tests her resilience. She asserts her own agency, hesitating to commit to her father’s plan while navigating fear and pressure. Her performance under pressure becomes the focal point of her future.

Eliza’s mother, skeptical of her husband’s plan and staunchly protective of her daughter’s integrity. She urges Romeo to resist corruption and pushes Eliza to stand firm on her own terms. Her insistence on a clean future for Eliza creates friction with Romeo’s pragmatic approach.

Romeo’s girlfriend and a schoolteacher who is tied to the mounting secrecy surrounding Eliza. She embodies a complicated presence in the family drama, balancing concern for Eliza with her own relationship dynamics. Her role adds tension and moral ambiguity to the central conflict.

A corrupt official whose health and influence drive the central quid pro quo plot. His death during the investigation frames the legal proceedings and complicates the pursuit of accountability. He represents the systemic abuse that the characters confront.

Eliza’s boyfriend who appears aloof and later clashes with Romeo. He is questioned by prosecutors and becomes part of the strained dynamic in the aftermath of the assault. His cowardice and absence at key moments test the trust between him and Eliza.

A police official who guides the investigation and flags the potential abuse of the exam system for personal gain. He serves as a reminder of law enforcement oversight and the possibility of reform through accountability.

The school administrator who fears the implications of Eliza’s exam situation and initially acts to exclude her. He embodies institutional self-preservation and the pressure to manage reputations.