Director: Mikael Håfström, Swe, 113min
Stars: Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundström, Gustaf Skarsgård, Linda Zilliacus
On general release
It brings a whole new meaning to the term boot camp: the seniors at Erik’s new boarding school wear jodhpurs and leather riding boots, buffed to a sheen, no doubt, by the sweat of the younger boys. For Erik (played by the very photogenic Wilson), a rebel with a mean streak, and the victim of abuse at the hands of his stepfather, the school is his last chance. Too bad that it is run by a sadistic regime, with excessively violent discipline meted out by the senior boys for the most minor infractions by the juniors. Serious misdemeanours are dealt with in a makeshift boxing ring, with bare fists and the odds stacked firmly in the favour of the disciplinarians.
Set in the 1950s, this Swedish drama is based on a popular book by Jan Guillou, which was — incredibly — based on the author’s own experiences at boarding school. It must be a gripping read, because though this film is not directed with any great style, it is a powerful piece of storytelling.
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WI