Movie No. 98 (2013): THE HOME OF DARK BUTTERFLIES
The Home of Dark Butterflies (2008)
Director: Dome Karukoski
Cast: Niilo Syvaoja, Tommi Korpela, Kristiina Halttu
In Finnish, with English subtitles
Juhani, barely a teenager, has been to different foster homes before finally ending up in an isolated boys' (rehabilitation) home, which is an island, called The Island. Juhani has a tortured past which keeps on haunting him, mostly in a dream. The Island is run by The Principal, who is ruthless in his ways but who is caring deep inside. Living with The Principal in the island is his wife, his two daughters, and a 'governess.' There are six boys under rehabilitation program in the island other than Juhani.
Director: Dome Karukoski
Cast: Niilo Syvaoja, Tommi Korpela, Kristiina Halttu
In Finnish, with English subtitles
Juhani, barely a teenager, has been to different foster homes before finally ending up in an isolated boys' (rehabilitation) home, which is an island, called The Island. Juhani has a tortured past which keeps on haunting him, mostly in a dream. The Island is run by The Principal, who is ruthless in his ways but who is caring deep inside. Living with The Principal in the island is his wife, his two daughters, and a 'governess.' There are six boys under rehabilitation program in the island other than Juhani.
Rites of passage to gain acceptance is the first hurdle Juhari has to overcome. And when he's just about to succeed, he'll be confronted by his past without warning. And what shall happen next, as a consequence, happens.
The actor who played Juhani is believable as a boy who, at a very young age, looks like being punished for obviously no reason. It's easy to care about the character because of this. This is also probably the reason why the melodrama is just what the film needs to understand the woes of each character. This way the movie becomes believable.
Rating: 3.5/4.0
Date seen: April 21, 2013
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