Based on a true story: Norwegian winter. However on the island Bastøy, a set of young boys aged 11 to 18, outside Oslo, are held in a institution for unmarried youth. Erling, a boy, arrives, chose to escape from the staircase one afternoon. After a tragic incident, he eventually ends up leading the boys in a violent uprising. If the boys manage to take over the island150 soldiers are sent in to restore order.