Rune, a young criminal serving time, is transferred to a new prison where he must use his wits in order to survive. Not long after entering the facility, Rune is viewed as a good subject to bully by the most experienced criminals in his new home. Rune establishes himself as a new force after attacking an Albanian inmate by order of The Mason, one of the prominent inmates, who seems to control what is going on inside.
Meeting Rashid, another man at the prison, gives Rune an ally that will stay true to him. Devising a plan to smuggle drugs, brings him to the attention of Mason's superior, the powerful Carsten. It will be only a question of time before Rune is found out.
The atmosphere of "R" is bleak, at best. Comparisons to Jacques Audiard's "A Prophet" comes to mind since both premises deal with behind the scenes life at a high security jail where men are thrown together and must be strong to survive. This Danish entry is co-directed by Tobias Lindholm and Michael Noer. The strength of the film lies in the ensemble playing the directors got from the strong cast they amassed. It is not a film for those weak at heart, prison life being what it is, it shows in vivid detail what goes on behind bars, when criminals must survive, one way, or another.
Johan Philip Asbaek, who plays Rune, makes a great impression in the way he approaches the role. Dulfil Al-Jabouri is seen as Rashid, the only friend Rune finds in that milieu. The supporting cast is excellent, mainly Omar Shargawi and Roland Moller. The oppressive atmosphere of the prison is capture in vivid detail by the cinematographer, Magnus Northenhof Jonck whose gritty photography is one of the real assets of the film.
Meeting Rashid, another man at the prison, gives Rune an ally that will stay true to him. Devising a plan to smuggle drugs, brings him to the attention of Mason's superior, the powerful Carsten. It will be only a question of time before Rune is found out.
The atmosphere of "R" is bleak, at best. Comparisons to Jacques Audiard's "A Prophet" comes to mind since both premises deal with behind the scenes life at a high security jail where men are thrown together and must be strong to survive. This Danish entry is co-directed by Tobias Lindholm and Michael Noer. The strength of the film lies in the ensemble playing the directors got from the strong cast they amassed. It is not a film for those weak at heart, prison life being what it is, it shows in vivid detail what goes on behind bars, when criminals must survive, one way, or another.
Johan Philip Asbaek, who plays Rune, makes a great impression in the way he approaches the role. Dulfil Al-Jabouri is seen as Rashid, the only friend Rune finds in that milieu. The supporting cast is excellent, mainly Omar Shargawi and Roland Moller. The oppressive atmosphere of the prison is capture in vivid detail by the cinematographer, Magnus Northenhof Jonck whose gritty photography is one of the real assets of the film.