PAPILLON | Official Trailer

Papillon (2017) is a gripping retelling of Henri Charrière’s autobiographical tale of survival, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. A remake of the 1973 classic starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, this version modernizes the narrative while staying faithful to the core story. It chronicles Charrière’s (nicknamed “Papillon”) relentless pursuit of freedom after being wrongfully convicted of murder and sent to the notorious French Guiana penal colony, Devil’s Island.

The film not only examines the brutality of the penal system but also explores the profound bond between Papillon (Charlie Hunnam) and his unlikely ally, Louis Dega (Rami Malek), a wealthy but frail forger.

Plot Summary

Henri Charrière, a Parisian safecracker, is framed for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the harsh penal colony of French Guiana. Nicknamed “Papillon” for his butterfly tattoo, he vows to escape and reclaim his freedom.

On the journey to the colony, Papillon befriends Louis Dega, a timid counterfeiter whose wealth makes him a target among the prisoners. The two form a symbiotic relationship: Papillon offers Dega protection in exchange for financial support for his escape attempts.

The narrative unfolds through Papillon’s daring but failed escape plans, his time in solitary confinement, and his eventual transfer to Devil’s Island, where he faces his most challenging ordeal. Despite the overwhelming odds, Papillon’s relentless determination to escape drives the story to its climactic conclusion.

Themes

1. Freedom and Resilience:
   At its heart, Papillon is a story about the human spirit’s unyielding drive for freedom, even in the face of insurmountable odds.
2. Friendship and Trust:
   The evolving relationship between Papillon and Dega highlights the power of camaraderie in overcoming adversity.
3. Survival:
   The film vividly portrays the brutal conditions of the penal colony and the lengths one will go to survive.
4. Injustice:
   Papillon’s wrongful conviction and the dehumanizing penal system serve as a critique of societal corruption and cruelty.