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English Titles H

Handcuff King, The

Original title: Kahlekuningas
German title: Entfesselungskünstler, Der
Sweden, Finland, 2002

Director: Koskinen, Arto
Production company: Kinoproduction Oy
Age recommendation: 12 years and up

Synopsis:
Finland in the 1970s. 12-year-old Esko lives in Tornio, a town near the Swedish border. Esko is a boy with a lot of problems. For one thing, he has succeeded in getting on the wrong side of his gang – of which he is leader. This came about when the boys caused an accident during an attempt to lure a rival gang from Sweden into a trap. Esko lied about his involvement in the affair and his mates were forced to take the wrap for the damage done. Since then, none of them want anything to do with him. Things don’t look much better at home, either. Esko’s father falls ill and loses his job. Then, when Dad starts to hit the bottle, Esko’s mother threatens to pack her bags. Esko’s elder brother is oblivious to all of this – his head is full
of his dreams of becoming a rock star. Esko’s only friend turns out to be a boy from ‘enemy’ country in Sweden. Patrick is a great fan of the legendary escapologist, Henry Houdini, and he soon shows Esko a trick or two. Ever since Patrick’s Finnish mother left them, Patrick’s father and his sister Helene have borne a grudge against all Finns, and this is why Esko is not exactly a welcome guest. However, nothing can stop the two friends from continuing to cross the railway bridge that spans the river border. Esko has no idea that his friend has leukaemia.When Patrick dies suddenly, Helene blames Esko and their wild games. Disappointed, Esko returns to his old gang of friends again and impresses them with his escapology tricks. However, at a gala performance on New Year’s Eve, one of his tricks goes awry – much to the delight of the audience, who roar with laughter. Esko can’t get over being made to look such a fool and announces that he will make another attempt to perform the trick in a few days.However, this time
the feat proves to be life-threatening…

Comments:
A funny and touching film about heroism, finding oneself and the immense power of imagination that may sometimes take over life. - Film for young people and all of us who ever had to tell a lie as children. Scheduled Release: March 2002 (Source: Finnish Film Institute)

Festivals:
Berlin 2003, Malmö 2003, Stuttgart 2003, Lübeck 2003, Poznan 2004, Vilnius 2005

World sales address/es:
TrustNordisk Int. Sales (DK)