Heiners Filmseiten – The Home of Dark Butterflies (en)

The Home of Dark Butterflies (Tummien perhosten koti)

German title: Die Insel der schwarzen Schmetterlinge
Francaise title: La Maison des papillons noirs
Spain title: La casa de las mariposas negras
Russian title: Дом темных бабочек
Original title: Tummien perhosten koti

Youth drama – Finland
Production year: 2007
Movie length: 105 minutes

Director: Dome Karukoski

Movie description:

14 year old Juhani is sent to The Island, a boy’s home run by the ruthless superintendent Olavi. In the isolated community in a world of its own, who makes the rules when actions can go unchecked?

Juhani is 14 years old when he moves into a Communal Home on a nameless little island off the Finnish coast, having previously lived with a number of foster families. Seven other difficult boys live here under the strict supervision of director Harjula, who has moved to the barren island with his wife and two daughters to put his own personal progressive education to the test. This includes breeding silkworms in the harsh climate of the Norwegian Sea. Juhani’s job is to plant mulberry trees, which he does passionately. But then, one day, a murder takes place in the butterfly house. In his adaptation of the international bestselling novel by Leena Lander, director Dome Karukoski depicts the difficulties of growing up under adverse conditions. Told entirely from the perspective of the juvenile delinquent, this psychologically impressive drama is also a reflection on the freedom of the human will.
The film is based on a praised novel by Leena Lander.

Boy Actors