Festen
Shown: 10 January 2000
Introduced by Phill
Walkley
Denmark 1998 (subtitles)
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg
Leading players - Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen and Thomas Bo Larsen
Synopsis
It is the sixtieth birthday of Helge (Henning Moritzen) and friends and family are gathered for a celebration. Eldest son Christian (Ulrich Thomsen) has prepared his speech. Deeply unhappy following the suicide of his twin sister Linda he is ready to make revelations that should shatter the complacency of the gathering.A dark and bitterly funny exposition of the secrets and tensions in an apparently well adjusted family.
DOGME 95
Thomas Vinterberg made Festen following the rules of Dogme 95, a 10 point
plan to simplify the process of film making. Formulated in Denmark in
reaction against the special effects school of production, in Festen it
is an idea that is perfectly realised. Points to look for:- filmed with
a hand-held video camera, use of natural light and only those props that
are to hand, no musical score and the directors name should not appear
in the credits.
An idea that was regarded as nutty and embarked on for effect only is now influencing the way films are being made in many other counties.
