The year is 1906. Surrounded by toxic sulfur mist, KONRAD (17) sorts through copper ore for the smelting cabin in Sulis (Sulitjelma). Enormous activity is taking place in the isolated mining community located far up on the mountain, where the mining company holds supreme control with their own private police force. Konrad witnesses the traveling rebel HELENE UGALND (24) get arrested and thrown out of Sulis for inciting revolt. The disparities are grave as the workers have virtually no rights to speak of, least of all Konrad - the "slave child" who at twelve years old was sold as child labor to a commercial farmer not far from Sulis. Konrad is plagued with intense yearning and grief. He dreams of going to America, together with his mother and sister. He's managed to save up a bit of money for a ticket while working in Sulis, but the labor is beyond exhausting while the pay is minimal. But then, on his eighteenth birthday, an opportunity presents itself - which happens to be the only opportunity Konrad's ever been given. Then suddenly, an almost enigmatic creature by the name of OLOF WENSTRÖM (30) comes riding into Sulis. Clad in American clothing and with a revolver shoved into his belt, Wenstrøm has been brought in by the Swedish owners to speed up mine productivity through new methods he learned while studying mining in the United States. Wenstrøm quickly connects with his fellow countryman Konrad, and arranges for him to get a well-paid job as a miner in Hanken - the most affluent and prestigious mine in Sulis. It finally looks like Konrad will be able to buy that ticket to America after all. When leaving Wenstrøm's office, the beautiful maid JOHANNA (18) winks at Konrad. Life is good.We quickly realize that Wenstrøm has ulterior motives with his generosity towards the vulnerable Konrad. It turns out he is looking for a secret informant that can report back to him regarding any incitement in the mines, and Konrad has just signed a deal with the devil.
Feature film
The Riot
(Sulis 1907)
The Riot tells the story of the struggle against oppression in the mining town of Sulitjelma, called Sulis, at the beginning of the 20th century. Konrad and the suppressed workers stand together in the revolt against the mining company and its ruthless leader Wennstrøm. The film deals with actual incidents at Norway’s second largest workplace, where the mining company had all the power and where the workers struggled under inhuman conditions in the dangerous and dark mines. This was the Wild West of the Nordic countries. Oppression, slave labor and the brutality of capitalism ended with a revolt that created the Nordic model and the modern society we see today in Scandinavia.
Production and distribution
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