Saw this yesterday at the Fantasia Film Festival. Although, as my friend David pointed out, it isn't your typical Fantasia movie, it remains a great festival selection, and a powerful film. In 1915, Erling (Benjamin Helstad) is sent to Balstoy, a Norwegian prison/work camp for boys located on an isolated island. His hard-headedness quickly causes him to clash heads with the camp's various authority figures, including ruling Governor Bestyreren (Stellan Skarsgard), and helps to feed a growing longing for escape. However, his dreams of freedom make a momentary transition to the back burner when the perverted actions of his unit's Headmaster (Kristoffer Joner) lead Erling and his new-found friend Olav (Trond Nilssen) to take a stand in the name of justice. Joyful moments being rare, King of Devil's Island still manages to keep the viewer's hopes up by inserting a number liberating scenes that hint towards an eventual overthrow of the corrupted status quo. While an insurrection does get underway, a stubborn rebellious sprit alone proves insufficient ammunition to keep the army at bay. Ultimately, the film's signature grey-and-blue aura prevails, reflective of the prison's shaky waters and how it rocks the metaphorical boat Bestyreren constantly compares it to.
