Thirteen-year-old Niilo's unruly behavior means his loving parents sent
him to Wild School, a young offender's unit on an island in the Finnish
archipelago. Angry at first, eventually he comes to enjoy being there,
and builds a close relationship with his mentor, Hannu, who helps him
face his demons and overcome his lifelong fear of water. But when Niilo
hears Hannu is leaving, he is so upset he decides to run away. Escaping
is one thing, but living alone in the wild is completely different, and
it tests Niilo to the utmost, especially as his fear of water still
haunts him. With the help of a seal, Hannu eventually finds Niilo, but
on the way back to Wild School Niilo is thrown into the water and
experiences a revelation that will change his life for the better.