Anton works as an aid doctor in a war torn African nation, whilst back in Denmark his son lives with his wife whom he is separated from. Their son, Elias, is frequently bullied at school, but when a new kid, Christian, whose mother has just died, tries to defend it sets off the catalyst for a series of events that threaten to tear many lives apart. Christian fights back against the bully and the two boys become friends. But when Anton comes home to visit and gets into a near fight with another man, Christian is determined to show the man whose boss and ropes Elias into making a homemade bomb.
This Danish film won the Foreign Language Award at this years Oscars and it's easy to see why. On paper the story is complex one, as the two boys and their families interweave through a series of events that bring to the fore the pain of loss, loneliness and despair. It is a beautifully constructed film, one that becomes utterly absorbing through it's wonderful imagery and superb performances, with standouts from the young boy that plays Christian and Mikael Persbrandt as Anton, and a powerful story that resonates well after you leave the cinema.
The film's main focus is of conflict in it's various guises; Anton sees it in his work in Africa as women are mutilated to see what sex their baby is; in Denmark Christian struggles with the death of his mother and takes it out on his father who is trying himself to deal with the situation. The conflicts themselves are dealt with in many ways, with further confrontation or by just walking away and that itself presents one of the films questions, that being what is the best option? Is revenge sweet or does it make matters worse.
The film is engaging and full of small moments that anyone can relate to, even if there are moments where it takes a a step too far, such as the boys readily making the bombs. But that's a small niggle among a film that is a prime example of fine film making and one that packs a emotional punch.
Check out more of my reviews at my site iheartfilms.weebly.com
This Danish film won the Foreign Language Award at this years Oscars and it's easy to see why. On paper the story is complex one, as the two boys and their families interweave through a series of events that bring to the fore the pain of loss, loneliness and despair. It is a beautifully constructed film, one that becomes utterly absorbing through it's wonderful imagery and superb performances, with standouts from the young boy that plays Christian and Mikael Persbrandt as Anton, and a powerful story that resonates well after you leave the cinema.
The film's main focus is of conflict in it's various guises; Anton sees it in his work in Africa as women are mutilated to see what sex their baby is; in Denmark Christian struggles with the death of his mother and takes it out on his father who is trying himself to deal with the situation. The conflicts themselves are dealt with in many ways, with further confrontation or by just walking away and that itself presents one of the films questions, that being what is the best option? Is revenge sweet or does it make matters worse.
The film is engaging and full of small moments that anyone can relate to, even if there are moments where it takes a a step too far, such as the boys readily making the bombs. But that's a small niggle among a film that is a prime example of fine film making and one that packs a emotional punch.
Check out more of my reviews at my site iheartfilms.weebly.com