Hævnen

In a better world
Director
Susanne Bier
Country
Denmark
Year
2010
Genre
Drama, Fiction
Scriptwriters
Susanne Bier / Anders Thomas Jensen
Cast
Mikael Persbrandt / Trine Dyrholm / Ulrich Thomsen / Markus Rygaard / William Jøhnk Nielsen
Production
Zentropa Entertainments [DK]. Danmarks Radio (DR), Det Danske Filminstitut, Film Fyn.
http://www.zentropa.dk

Storyline

The story traces elements from a refugee camp in Africa to the grey humdrum of everyday life in a Danish provincial town. The lives of two Danish families cross each other, and an extraordinary but risky friendship comes into bud. But loneliness, frailty and sorrow lie in wait. Soon, friendship transforms into a dangerous alliance and a breathtaking pursuit in which life is at stake.

Anton is a doctor who commutes between his home in an idyllic town in Denmark, and his work at an African refugee camp. In these two very different worlds, he and his family are faced with conflicts that lead them to difficult choices between revenge and forgiveness. Anton and his wife Marianne, who have two young sons, are separated and struggling with the possibility of divorce. Their older, ten-year-old son Elias is being bullied at school, until he is defended by Christian, a new boy who has just moved from London with his father, Claus. Christian's mother recently lost her battle with cancer, and Christian is greatly troubled by her death. Elias and Christian quickly form a strong bond, but when Christian involves Elias in a dangerous act of revenge with potentially tragic consequences, their friendship is tested and lives are put in danger. Ultimately, it is their parents who are left to help them come to terms with the complexity of human emotions, pain and empathy.

 

Festivals & Academy awards and others

Toronto International Film Festival 2010
Special Presentations
Rome Film Festival 2010
Thessaloniki Film Festival 2010
Seville European Film Festival 2010

Oscar 2011
Best Foreign Film Award
European Film Awards (EFA) 2011
European Director Award (Susanne Bier)
European Film Nomination
European Actor Nomination
European Screenwriter Nomination
Rome International Film Festival Awards 2010
Marc’Aurelio Audience Award for Best Film
Marc'Aurelio Grand Jury Award
Golden Globe Awards 2011
Best Foreign Film Award

Releases

Denmark (26 of July 2014)
Sweden (1 of July 2014)