Scandinavian Film Festival - Day 8 - Worlds apart & Flame and Citron

I could spend the whole day at the cinema but I decided to watch 3 movies, one of them was Terribly Happy, movie I reviewed on day 2 (be sure to check that HERE). Therefore, there are only two new movies and here are my reviews on them. NOTE: The coordinators of the Festival decided to add one more day so I went to see Little Soldier on the Extra day, I will post my comment on the next post.

Director: Niels Arden Oplev
Cast: Rosalinde Mynster, Johan Philip Asbæk, Jens Jørn Spottag, Sarah Boberg
Writers: Steen Bille, Niels Arden Oplev
Music: Jacob Groth
Production: Denmark, 2008
Release Date: 22 February 2008 (Denmark)
Runtime: 116 Minutes
Original Name: To verdener
IMDB Link: Worlds apart
Trailer: Worlds apart

The film centers on Sara, a teenage girl who lives with her family, who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was raise in a very controlled environment, ruled by religious statements. As a Jehovah’s Witness she dedicate most of her time going to church and spreading the world of the lord. The film start in a very high climax, as the family integrity is broken by her father infidelity. One of their parents has to move away but it´s up to their children to decide. Finally, Sara and her brothers decided that they wanted their dad to stay with them, her mother moves to the city. During a trip to the city she meets with his older brother who left the community because he has done something bad, he was left alone as none of the family members visit him. One day at a party, Sara meets Teis, a non-religious boy that will take interest in her. As the movie progress, she becomes attracted to him and falls in love, however her family and her faith will pressure her to leave him. Sara will start to question her faith forcing her to make one of her toughest decision in her young life.

The movie is not only a critic towards religion it goes beyond that, it expose the hypocrisy behind people´s speech, the pressure done by society, religion and family in everyday-life decision. It also talks about freedom in choosing our life path and dealing with the consequences. The movie is based on a true story, the director and co-writer Niels Arden Oplev read in the 2006 Berlingske Tidende (newspaper) the story of Tabita Broener the real Sara that left her beliefs behind to find true love. I have to remark the excellent job done by Rosalinde Mynster, the main actress, her performance is worth to watch, she manages to portrait this very confused teenager.

Director: Ole Christian Madsen
Cast: Thure Lindhardt, Mads Mikkelsen, Stine Stengade, Peter Mygind
Writers: Lars Andersen, Ole Christian Madsen
Music: Karsten Fundal
Production: Denmark, Czech Republic, Germany, 2008
Release Date: 28 March 2008 (Denmark)
Runtime: 130 Minutes
Original Name: Flammen & Citronen
IMDB Link: Flame & Citron
Trailer: Flame & Citron

The movie is based on two of the most well know activist resistance fighters in Denmark during the Nazi occupation. Bent Faurschou-Hviid (“Flame”) and Jørgen Haagen Schmith (“Criton”). Until 1944, they spent their time tracking down and killing Danish people who we helping the Nazis. One day Winther, their boss who was in direct contact with the “Allies”, tells them to start attacking German targets, one of them, Kitty Selmar, is a double agent that will mess with Flame´s head, she tells him that Winther is using them to settle private scores and clean his way out. At the same time Flame and Citron´s resistance group, the Holger Danske, start to get crippled as one of the circle is betraying the group. As the Nazis close on them, they must find the way to stay alive until the war finished.

My expectations for this movie were high, I love spy movies and from the trailer I could imagine that was going to be great. Flame and Citron manage to maintain the tension throughout the entire movie, the plot twist and the intense scenes will capture you. The actors are great, not to mention that Christian Berkel is playing a Nazi Soldier, the same actor that played Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck in Downfall (“Der Undergang”). The movie also focuses in the character personal problems, letting us now that they are humans after all. Citron is struggling after his wife left him for another man. On the other hand, Flame is unable to kill any women due to pass experience, now he can´t look at them when he pulls the trigger. If you like, action or spy movies see this movie you would love it.