Forthcoming Danish Features

UPCOMING. Productivity is high in Danish filmmaking at the moment. To help out, here is a selection of some of the important films that have either just premiered or will so in the coming months.

February

"Men and Chicken" by Anders Thomas Jensen

 

After nearly a decade out of the director's chair, Anders Thomas Jensen, a prolific writer for Susanne Bier, is ready with his fourth directing credit, the pitch-black comedy "Men and Chicken."

maendoghoens3MEN AND CHICKEN Photo: Rolf Konow

Gabriel and Elias might be brothers, but they're not exactly the same: Gabriel is a worn-down professor while Elias' only concerns are women and trivial knowledge. When their father dies, they receive disturbing news: he wasn't their real father after all. Their quest for answers takes them to the island of Ork where plenty of surprises await.

"Men and Chicken" stars Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas and David Dencik. It is produced by M&M Productions.


March

9.aprilAPRIL 9TH. Framegrab

"April 9th" by Roni Ezra

Roni Ezra's war drama is set during the early morning hours of 9 April 1940, as German troops are crossing the border to Denmark. Pilou Asbæk stars as second lieutenant Sand leading his unit to be the first Danish soldiers to meet the enemy in battle.

Against a vastly superior army, the Danish vanguard of bicycle and motorcycle units must stall the Germans until reinforcements can be mobilised.

The cast also consists of Berlinale Shooting Star Joachim Fjelstrup and Lars Mikkelsen. "April 9th" is written by Tobias Lindholm and produced by Nordisk Film.

"The Shamer's Daughter" by Kenneth Kainz

Kenneth Kainz is bringing out his fourth feature film, "The Shamer's Daughter," an adaptation of a popular fantasy novel scripted by Anders Thomas Jensen and featuring an all-Scandinavian cast.

The story revolves around Dina, who is no ordinary girl. Having inherited the supernatural ability from her mother, she can look directly into other people's souls and make them ashamed of everything bad they might have done. When Dina's mother refuses to use her gift to make the sole heir to the throne of Dunark wrongfully confess to the murder of his family, she is taken captive. It is now up to Dina to prove her innocence and find out the truth behind the brutal murders.

"The Shamer's Daughter", helmed by Kenneth Kainz ("Pure Hearts"), is set in a medieval fantasy world of dragons and magic, starring Peter Plaugborg ("The Keeper of Lost Causes"), Jakob Oftebro ("Kon-Tiki"), Søren Malling ("The Killing"), Maria Bonnevie ("A Second Chance") and Stina Ekblad ("Love Is All You Need").

Oscar-winning screenwriter Anders Thomas Jensen ("In a Better World") is behind the adaptation of the first book in a bestselling fantasy series by Lene Kaaberbøl. The film is produced by Nepenthe Film.


April

"The Idealist" by Christina Rosendahl

Christina Rosendahl's second feature film "The Idealist" is a political thriller based on true events. After her feature debut "Triple Dare" and several acclaimed documentaries and shorts, her new film delves into one of the most hushed-up chapters of Danish Cold War history involving a plane crash with toxic consequences.

The film is a tale of power, idealism and one man's courage to expose the true events during the Cold War. "The Idealist" is produced by Toolbox Film.

"Rosita" by Frederikke Aspöck

Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, winner of a Silver Bear for his big screen debut in "A Royal Affair," takes the lead in Frederikke Aspöck's "Rosita." It is the story of Johannes, who lives with his father Ulrik in a fishing village, where they live a quiet life. Ulrik feels lonely, and in the need for love he arranged for the young and beautiful Philippine Rosita to arrive – as many men from the town have done. Reluctantly Johannes gets involved with the relationship, as Ulrik's English language is limited. As time goes by Johannes and Rosita get more involved with each other, and Johannes is forced to take responsibility for his life and dreams.

The film is scripted by Kim Fupz Aakeson ("In Order of Appearance"). "Rosita" is produced by Nordisk Film.


May

langhistoriekortLONG STORY SHORT Photo: Per Arnesen

"Long Story Short" by May el-Toukhy

In her first feature, May el-Toukhy takes a closer look at our concepts of true love and how many of us enter into a relationship full of hope but end the journey in disappointment and break-ups.

"Long Story Short" follows Ellen and her friends, all in their late thirties and early forties, and their complicated love life and longing for romantic redemption. The film is a summary of three years of highs and lows told through eight chapters, each set at a party: a New Year's Eve, a housewarming, a Midsummer's Eve, a wedding, a surprise party, a naming ceremony, an anniversary and finally a birthday.

Ellen is played by Mille Hoffmeyer Lehfeldt. Jens Albinus, Trine Dyrholm, Danica Curcic and Marijana Jankovic feature as her friends.

"Long Story Short" is produced by Miso Film.


July

guldkystenGOLD COAST Photo: Michael Haslund

"Gold Coast" by Daniel Dencik

In 1836 the Danish botanist and visionary Frederik Wulff leaves on a royal mission to supervise a coffee plantation on Africa's Gold Coast (now Ghana). Soon, his best intentions and Christian believes are tested by the harsh realities of slave trading and violence.

Daniel Dencik's first feature is an epic drama of love and faith, shedding light on a neglected chapter of Danish colonial history.

The film stars Jacob Oftebro as Wulff and Danica Curcic as a young missionary. Made in collaboration with local Ghanaian filmmakers, "Gold Coast" is produced by Haslund/Dencik Entertainment.


August

ComebackCOMEBACK Photo: Martin Dam Kristensen

"Comeback" by Natasha Arthy

Following a string of popular TV series, Natasha Arthy returns with "Comeback", her first feature film since 2007's "Fighter."

Comedian Thomas Vang has wrecked his career and will do anything to return to the top. However, when his cheeky teenage daughter, Frederikke, suddenly turns up out of the misty fog of oblivion, Thomas' life is turned upside down. She does whatever she can to sabotage his dreams, and before Thomas realizes what has hit him, he plummets with great accuracy into the abyss. Only Frederikke can save him. Only one thing is certain: it will not be the comeback he envisioned.

Starring in "Comeback" are Anders W. Berthelsen ("Italian for Beginners," "Superclásico") and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina ("The Absent One"). The film is produced by Toolbox Film. 

KrigenA WAR Photo: Per Arnesen

"A War" by Tobias Lindholm

Tobias Lindholm's credits as a scriptwriter include "Borgen" and Thomas Vinterberg's "The Hunt." Now it's time for his third film as a director, "A War."

Firmly rooted in reality, the film is about a Danish company commander and his men who are stationed in Afghanistan. During a routine mission, the soldiers are caught in heavy Taliban crossfire. To save his men, he makes a decision that ultimately sees him return to Denmark accused of a war crime – and returning to his wife Maria and their three children who have been struggling without him. A potently realistic drama, the soldiers are played by actual soldiers that have been stationed in Afghanistan.

Lindholm's first feature as a director was "R" in 2010 (with Michael Noer), followed by "A Hijacking" in 2012. As was the case with these two, Pilou Asbæk will also star in "A War" together with Søren Malling. Lindholm has risen to prominence as scriptwriter as the man behind renowned titles such as the BAFTA-winning TV series "Borgen" and Thomas Vinterberg's Oscar nominee "The Hunt."

"A War" is produced by Nordisk Film.


September

klovn2KLOWN FOREVER Photo: Joachim Ladefoged
 

"Klown Forever" by Mikkel Nørgaard

 

In very few years, Mikkel Nørgaard has established himself as one of the most successful Danish directors. Last year's "The Absent One" and predecessor "The Keeper of Lost Causes" (2013) are amongst the films that have sold the most tickets in Danish cinemas in the past decade, along with his widely popular "Klown" movie – now due for a sequel.

"Klown" started as a series with Nørgaard at the helm. Comedians Frank Hvam and Casper Christensen – also the writers – play caricatured versions of themselves surrounded by celebrities and a knack for getting into both trouble and awkward situations.

"Klown Forever" is produced by Nutmeg Movies.


Summer-of-92SUMMER OF '92 Photo: Christian Geisnæs 

"Summer of '92" by Kasper Barfoed

In 1992, the Danish national football team had failed to qualify for the European Championship. The players were already on holiday when they were called up with a surprising message: Yugoslavia was disqualified because of the war, and the Danes were set to replace them.

The rest is history: Denmark went on to surprise the experts and upset the odds by winning the tournament. Director Kasper Barfoed has set out to capture the story of the underdogs who conquered the hearts of everyone with "Summer of '92".

Coach Richard Møller Nielsen is embodied by Ulrich Thomsen, and one of the key players – Brian Laudrup – by Cyron Melville. Silver Bear winner Mikkel Boe Følsgaard portrays hard-tested midfielder Kim Vilfort. The film is produced by Meta Film.


October

sorgenfriWHAT WE BECOME Photo: Christian Geisnæs

"What We Become" by Bo Mikkelsen

Writer and director Bo Mikkelsen has already made a string of award-winning short films. His long-awaited debut feature "What We Become" is a horror film shot in Mikkelsen's hometown of Sorgenfri, a peaceful suburb of Copenhagen.

Also used as the film's Danish title, Sorgenfri literally means "carefree". The feature, Mikkelsen's first, tells the story of a family of four in a small town where mysterious virus outbreak changes everything. Their strong bond is challenged when it all comes down to survival.

"The film revolves around what's closest to you, family, neighbours and friends on a small street. What happens when everything we take for granted is taken away from us? What do we turn into when pushed to our limits?" Bo Mikkelsen asks.

The film marks Mikkelsen's feature debut after a number of shorts including the acclaimed "Tabu," produced by Nicolas Winding Refn and Lene Børglum. The cast features Mille Dinesen and Mikael Birkkjær, who both appeared in Danish hit TV series "Borgen," as well as Troels Lyby, Marie Boda and newcomer Benjamin Engell.

"What We Become" is produced by Meta Film.

undersandetLAND OF MINE Photo: Christian Geisnæs

"Land of Mine" by Martin Zandvliet

Martin Zandvliet delves into a dark chapter of Danish post-war history in "Land of Mine," his most ambitious film to date.

During WWII, German occupying forces scattered landmines all along the West Coast of Denmark. After the war, in May 1945, more than 2,000 German POWs were forced to remove over 1.5 million landmines. Many of them were just young boys. Almost half of them died or were seriously maimed.

Bitterness and resentment towards the recent occupying forces were predominant emotions, not least for Carl Leopold Rasmussen, the Danish sergeant in charge of the enfeebled young Germans forced to perform the dangerous task of disarming the landmines with their bare hands.

Roland Møller takes his first lead as the Danish sergeant. Making his screen debut in Tobias Lindholm and Michael Noer's hard-hitting prison drama "R," Møller went on to perform in Lindholm's "A Hijacking" and Noer's "Northwest."

Martin Zandvliet, who is making his third feature after his critically acclaimed "A Funny Man" and "Applause," is also behind the script. "Land of mine" is produced by Nordisk Film.


Late 2015 and early 2016

The-ModelTHE MODEL Photo: Carole Bethuel

"The Model" by Mads Matthiesen

Danish fashion model and newcomer Maria Palm is starring in "The Model," Mads Matthiesen's second feature following his Sundance winner "Teddy Bear" from 2012.

Emma is an emerging fashion model struggling to enter the Parisian fashion scene. In a world of glamour and temptations, she is fighting for her place and cannot stop herself from developing a deadly obsession for fashion photographer Shane White.

For the role of Emma, Matthiesen has enlisted first-time actress Maria Palm who knows the fashion world inside out from her own work as a model. The role of Shane White is played by British actor Ed Skrein ("Game of Thrones"). Skrein is also soon to be seen as the lead star of the upcoming EuropaCorp action film "Transporter Legacy."

"The Model," shot on location in Paris, Warsaw and Copenhagen, is Matthiesen's second feature film following his big-screen debut "Teddy Bear," about a bodybuilder seeking love in Thailand, for which he received a number of international awards, including a Best Director award at Sundance Film Festival in 2012.

"The Model" is written by Mads Matthiesen, Martin Zandvliet and Anders Frithiof August and is produced by Zentropa. Expected release late 2015.

ShelleySHELLEY Framegrab

"Shelley" by Ali Abbasi

"Shelley" is director Ali Abbasi's debut feature film. A horror story set in the middle of nowhere.
Far away from the city, cafés and even electricity, Louise and Kasper are living in harmony with nature. Louise's biggest dream is to become a mother, but she can't have children.

In desperation, Louise enters a pact with her Romanian house cleaner, Elena, to bear her child as a surrogate mother in return for a large sum of money. Soon, however, it becomes clear that Elena's pregnancy is not a regular one: The life growing inside Elena is quickly taking shape, and it is affecting the lives of everyone around it like a dark force. The horrors of birth are in effect.

"Shelley" is produced by Profile Pictures and is expected to be released later this year.

kollektivetTHE COMMUNE Photo: Christian Geisnæs

"The Commune" by Thomas Vinterberg

Following the success of his Oscar-nominated "The Hunt," Thomas Vinterberg is back with "The Commune," a film loosely based on his own experiences growing up in a commune. Set in the '70s, academic couple Erik (Ulrich Thomsen) and Anna (Trine Dyrholm) are living in a time when dreams of freedom and fellowship are peaking, inspiring them to establish a commune in which everyone can live, party, and grow together.

But an epoch nears its end, and things take a turn for the worse when Erik's new lover moves in. Thomas Vinterberg is also working releasing his first English-language film in years, "Far from the Madding Crowd," in April. The film is based on Thomas Hardy's novel.

"The Commune" is produced by Zentropa. Expected Danish release in January 2016.