King of Devil's Island (Kongen av Bastøy)
Norway, January 1915: On the island Bastøy, a notorious boys home is situated. Here, a group of young outcast boys live under a sadistic regime: Instead of being educated and prepared for life outside, the boys endure mental and physical abuse. The guards are merciless and exploit the children using them as cheap manual labour.
One day Erling (17), another young outcast, arrives at the island. In self-defence, he has accidentally killed a police officer and will be transferred to an adult prison when he turns 18, undoubtedly leading to his destruction. He must get away from Bastøy. After meeting his fellow inmates and gradually finding his place in the group, Erling's decision; to flee the island alone, is put to the test. The unbearable situation forces Erling and the other boys to act together. Secretly they form a rebellious uprising against their keepers. When yet another tragic incident caused by one of the guards occur, the boys decides to take a final stand: Armed with rocks and sticks the boys take charge of the island. Suddenly the roles are turned. As the boys celebrate their surprising victory, the Norwegian authorities are taking action: From the mainland a company of 150 armed soldiers approaches to establish order at any cost. Time is running out for Erling and his friends, they must accomplish the impossible: To escape from Bastøy - Devil's Island.
The film is based on actual events.
Production and distribution
- Production Year
- 2010
- Country of origin
- Norway
- Release date (national)
- 2010-12-17
- Production Company
- 4 1/2 AS
- Krusesgt. 8
- N-0263 Oslo
- Producer
- Karin Julsrud
- Line Producer
- Sanne Glæsel
- Co-production Company
- St. Paul Film (Sweden)
- Festival Contact
- NFI Features
- International sales
- Les Films du Losange
Crew
- Director
- Marius Holst
- Manuskript
- Dennis Magnusson
- Based on
- Original story by Lars Saabye Christensen and Mette Marit Bølstad by
- D.O.P.
- John Andreas Andersen
- Editor
- Michael Leszczyloowski
- Production Designer
- Janusz Sosnowski
- Kristine Wilhelmsen
- Sound Designer
- Gisle Tveito
- Ad Stoop
Technical information
- Sjanger
- Drama
- Format
- 35mm
- Bildeformat
- 1:2,35
- Farge
- NOT TRANSLATED: filmdb.colorsystem.color
- Lydsystem
- Dolby SRD
- Length in min's
- 116'
Director
Marius Holst
Marius Holst (b. 1965) was educated at the London International Film School. His diploma film Visiting Hours (1990) won the BBC Drama Award Grand Prix Potier. It was also nominated for the national film award Amanda for Best Short Film, as well as for the Student Academy Award in Los Angeles.
His first feature film Cross my Heart and Hope to Die (1994) was a box-office success in Norway, and went on to become an international festival hit, winning numerous awards – including the Prix de Montreal (for best first fiction feature) at the World Film Festival in Montreal, and the Blue Angel Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1995.
His second feature, Dragonflies, was released in 2001, with Mirush following in 2007. Both films garnered both critical acclaim and their share of awards, and firmly established Holst as one of Norways most noteworthy film directors in the new millennia. Holst only added to this notion with the release of his biggest undertaking yet, The King of Devils Island, in 2010 – yet again to both critical acclaim and box-office success.
Holst has also made numerous award-winning commercials, and is a co-founder and owner of the successful production company 4 ½, along with fellow director Pål Sletaune and producers Turid Øversveen and Håkon Øverås. Established in 1998, the company produces both feature films and commercials.
Cast
- Erling
- Benjamin Helstad
- Olav
- Trond Nilsen
- Husfar Tor
- Kristoffer Joner
- Bestyrer Håkon
- Stellan Skarsgård
Visning på festivaler
- 2011
- International Film Festival Rotterdam
- 2011
- Göteborg International Film Festival
- 2011
- Mostra de Valencia
- 2011
- The Far Side of Paradise: New Films from Norway - Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York
- 2011
- Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival
- 2011
- Seattle International Film Festival
- 2011
- Transilvania International Film Festival
- 2011
- Edinburgh International Film Festival
- 2011
- Giffoni Film Festival
- 2011
- Fantasia International Film Festival
- 2011
- New Horizons International Film Festival
- 2011
- Buster - Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth
- 2011
- Filmfest Hamburg
- 2011
- Flanders International Film Festival Ghent
- 2011
- Mumbai International Film Festival
- 2011
- Molodist - Kiev International Film Festival
- 2011
- 4 +1 Film Festival
- 2011
- Nordic Film Days Lübeck
- 2011
- Arras International Film Festival
- 2011
- Noordelijk Filmfestival
- 2011
- European Film Forum Scanorama
- 2011
- Bangalore International Film Festival
- 2012
- Nordic Lights Film Festival in Minneapolis
- 2012
- Portland International Film Festival
- 2012
- Istanbul Film Festival
- 2012
- Norwegian filmweek, Moscow Russia
Prizes
- 2011
- Göteborg International Film Festival: Kodak Nordic Vision Award
- 2011
- Kanon Award for Best Cinematography
- 2011
- Mostra de Valencia: Best Film
- 2011
- Giffoni Film Festival: Campania Regional Council Award for 2nd place, Generator +16 section
- 2011
- National Film Award Amanda for Best Theatrical Film , National Film Award Amanda for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, to Trond Nilssen, National Film Award Amanda for Best Musical Score
- 2011
- Filmfest Hamburg: The Häagen-Dazs Public Award
- 2011
- 4 +1 Film Festival: Audience Award
- 2011
- Nordic Film Days Lübeck: Best Feature Film, Audience Award