This is an intense Danish film, one of the best I've seen in a while. I love Dogma and especially Vinterberg, who is my favorite director involved in this cinematic movement. Don't get me wrong, I love Lars Von Trier too, but I prefer Vinterberg, I think he's a better storyteller. Submarino is an adaptation of a Bengtsson's book. It tells the story of two brothers who grew up with a bad mother in poverty and have to cope with the aftermath of a childhood trauma. Trauma is like a tumor, it grows inside you, and if you don't get rid of it, it takes over you and eventually kills you. This is exactly what the film is about. To avoid becoming a casualty of your own self, you have to deal with what's eating you alive. The characters try so hard to overcome their past and move on with their lives, but somehow, they constantly fail. The lead character is drawn to violence whereas his brother is addicted to drugs and becomes an irresponsible parent like his mother was. In a way, I think this film is very similar to Requiem for a Dream, it has the same fatalistic tone. Submarino is also the most accurate film I've ever seen about what a bad childhood can do to people. Vinterberg's style is raw and linear. The cinematography is dark and grainy with some remarkable chiaroscuro shots. The two lead actors are terribly convincing, especially Jakob Cedergren (Terribly Happy and Sorrow and Joy) who has a lot of charisma in his role. The film is well written. The characters are human and complex, their journey into self-destruction is never exaggerated and the ending of the film is beautifully tragic. I think it's a hidden gem and probably the best Vinterberg film since Festen.
Review of Submarino
