Ondskan (2003)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 113 minuten
Alternative title: Evil
Country:
Sweden / Denmark
Directed by: Mikael Håfström
Stars: Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundström and Gustaf Skarsgård
IMDb score:
7,7 (44.564)
Releasedate: 16 September 2003
Ondskan plot
"It's time to take a stand."
Erik's life is marked by violence and conflict. When he is expelled from school, he gets one more chance at a boarding school. Will he succeed or will he fall back to his old habits?
Actors and actresses
Erik Ponti
Pierre Tanguy
Otto Silverhielm
Marja
Dahlén
Melander
Eriks styvfar
Fru Ponti, Eriks mor
Rektor Lindblad
Rektor
Reviews & comments
sinterklaas
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- 11821 messages
- 3321 votes
Impressive Furnishing drama. Dated in the 50's...
In the beginning, since you already know that this is about a young man with loose hands, you immediately have sympathy for the certain Erik Ponti. His life is marked by aggression, fueled mainly by his sadistic father. And everything is going a bit differently than expected... Instead of Erik going to an institution under duress, he goes voluntarily. You'd think that's where the trouble really starts... Well, not quite.
I found the other side of the theme very interesting. Erik seems to get into a sympathetic environment; Befriends his Swiss roommate and falls in love with the kitchen maid. However, he also has to deal with a ruthless upper-class student group that controls all students. It is surprising to see that Erik handles this differently than you might think.
And the film manages to stir up the psychological tension in you from beginning to end. The hazing and punishments go through such a marrow and bone that you wonder what makes a sensitive person better. But again... Erik's strength remains astounding. Especially how he deals nonviolently (or defensively) with the tormentors of his contemporary life towards the end.
Yes, I thought this was a fine work by Hafstrom, the director of the later very successful films 1408 and Shanghai. The fifties atmosphere is also well portrayed and the chilly raw atmosphere manages to penetrate you.
Good.
4.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
cantforgetyou
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- 1964 messages
- 1693 votes
Very good drama. Terrible boarding school where the students have bizarre rules and the teachers let them have their way. The story grabs you well and you are completely sucked into the bizarre rules and laws that apply at this school.
Fortunately, the protagonist does not leave it at that.
What you get is a gross drama with good acting and strong actors. The film is never dull or boring.
Well worth checking out this movie.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Filmkriebel
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- 10013 messages
- 4679 votes
Gripping drama about a boy abused by his stepfather who is sent to a boarding school and is again confronted with bullying and abuse due to his anti-authoritarian behavior. A great film that may not be that deep psychologically, but it convinced me all the more with a controlled direction, pleasant pacing, a few fierce scenes and excellent acting. The two hours fly by.
This is the film adaptation of a Scandinavian bestseller, in which abuse of power in the name of discipline and education is denounced. I did develop sympathy for Erik, who wants to break the cycle of violence and focus on his studies and sports activities, but is repeatedly confronted with the fait accompli. The theme of education as a social pillar often returns in Scandinavian films. Just think of Der Kommer en Dag (2016) and Drommen (2006)
Translated from Dutch · View original
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