The European Presidency on film

DOCUMENTARY. "The President" by acclaimed Danish director already sold to 12 countries.

Praesidenten_Romano_Prodi

Romano Prodi. Photo: Adam Philp

Documentary director Christoffer Guldbrandsen has emerged as a leading Danish film journalist and specializes in chronicling the inner workings of power. In his latest work "The President" he turns the camera to the European leadership.  

A German chancellor, a French president and an Italian Prime Minister openly relate their common goal: Europe must have a real president, a president to represent Europe in the world and create unity between the superegos of EU. 

But the road to actually instating a person in office is long and fraught with compromise. And the end product is far removed from the new political vision of Europe: A Belgian unknown who turned down the position twice. 

The European decision process is "a game where cynicism and idealism must reconcile," Guldbrandsen says. "It's this game of power that's the focal point of the film. The understanding of the common European power and a political culture with roots hundreds of years back which holds both drama, intrigue, vanity and greed." 

The film premiered on Danish public television on 12 April, but has already been sold to 12 countries, among these Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Finland, Holland and Ireland. 

"The President" is produced by Ane Mandrup Pedersen for Guldbrandsen ApS with support from the Danish Film Institute. 

Comments

Write comment:

See guidelines for comments.
 

About the Director

Previously in "The Road to Europe" (2003) Guldbrandsen followed the Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen (current General Secretary of NATO) in his struggle as EU chairman to negotiate the induction of ten East European countries to the union. The film was a source of controversy when it exposed the thorny relationship between the PM and his foreign minister.

"The Secret War" (2006) drew even larger controversy when it examined Denmark's extradition of Afghan POW's to the American army. Since the US forces were under accusation of torture Denmark became a possible accomplice. The allegations put forth in the documentary hovered over the public debate for months and rose to parliamentary level.

Contact





Det Danske Filminstitut

Danish Film Institute /
Det Danske Filminstitut

EAN-nr: 5798000794085
CVR-nr: 56858318

Gothersgade 55
1123 København K

Tel. +45 3374 3400
Fax +45 3374 3401
E-mail:

Tickets
TEL. +45 3374 3412