Norwegian winter, early 20th century. On the boys home Bastoy, a new inmate leads the boys to a violent uprising against a brutal regime. How far is he willing to go to attain freedom?
After so much Stieg Larsson and The Killing though, it’s pleasing to see something from the Nordic countries that doesn’t involve police procedure and chunky jumpers.
A bleakly beautiful, austere film that doesn't patronise its audience.
Robust acting and crisp direction eases the old-rope material through to the inevitable conflagration.
A slow-burning film with echoes of Papillon in its celebration of an indomitable human spirit.
Engrossing.
The cast, especially Helstad, give performances as good as you’ll find anywhere else and the freezing, bleak setting reinforces the sense of the boys’ helplessness.
An affecting drama about Norway's coming of age, even if its dourness occasionally veers into blandness.
There's an impressive force to the performances and, amid the ice and snow, the film burns with a sense of injustice that deservedly made it a hit in Norway.
Solid acting and chilly, oppressive visuals save this rather rote borstal drama from being just another grim, unenlightening exploration of incarceration.
Holst's King of Devil's Island may conform to a lot of prison-movie conventions but it still manages to grip by virtue of its powerful performances and foundation in truth.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday July 27, 2012, until Thursday August 2, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday July 27, 2012, until Thursday August 2, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/