Beyond Time

The story of the film takes place in 1929 in a model prison providing a kind of reflection how society works out there. Udvardi, the weakling and indulgent director is experimenting with putting in practice a kind of pseudo-humanist utopia about the institution of a 'civilised prison'. He encourages the prisoners to do industrial and art activities saying that this is the right method of keeping them under control. Babella, his deputy director, however stirs up hostility among legal criminals and political prisoners with the tools of violence, corruption, and denunciation. The political prisoners start a hunger strike and provoke violence. Babella is appointed to replace Udvardi and he puts down all resistance with ruthless violence. (jakelijan virallinen teksti)