A new space has been launched at FIFF, bringing together some of the best contemporary movies from Denmark’s fast growing and dynamic cinema.
The 2021 festival will feature five significant and exciting works, and A Retrospective of Danish Cinema will be the place you can see and review the astonishing feats at the 38th edition of Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran.
The following lineup showcases delightful cultural aspects of Denmark, sheds light on untold stories, shares unique stories, and brings together unique characters on screen:
Erna at War
Denmark | 2020 | 100 min
Director: Henrik Ruben Genz
Cast: Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Anders W. Berthelsen, Sylvester Espersen Byder
Synopsis
Denmark, summer of 1918. WW1 rages through Europe. Feldwebel Meyer enrolls Kalle, Erna’s 17-year-old simple-minded son. After failing to convince the commanding officer that Kalle is unfit for war, Erna swaps identities with a deserting soldier in order to follow and protect Kalle. Erna at War is the story of a remarkable woman who won’t let war keep her from protecting what she believes in.
Gutterbee
Denmark | 2019 | 107 min
Director: Ulrich Thomsen
Cast: Antony Starr, Ewen Bremner, W. Earl Brown, Joshua Harto
Synopsis
Gutterbee is a character driven comedy about sausages and friendship. Set in small-town America, it’s a story about two hopeless dreamers who join forces in a quest to erect the ultimate German sausage restaurant. Gutterbee is also a social satire about the nexus of identity fear, where religion becomes an intellectual cul-de-sac, and racism, homophobia and intolerance reign supreme.
Riders of Justice
Denmark | 2020 | 116 min
Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Andrea Heick Gadeberg, Lars Brygmann
Synopsis
The deployed military man Markus has to go home to his teenage daughter, Mathilde, after his wife dies in a tragic train accident. It seems to be plain bad luck – until the mathematics geek Otto shows up with his two eccentric colleagues, Lennart and Emmenthaler.
Shorta
Denmark | 2020 | 108 min
Director: Anders Ølholm, Frederik Louis Hviid
Cast: Jacob Hauberg Lohmann, Simon Sears, Tarek Zayat, Dulfi Al-Jabouri
Synopsis
The exact details of what took place while Talib Ben Hassi (19) was in police custody remain unclear. Police officers, Jens and Mike, are on routine patrol in Svalegården’s ghetto when news of Talib’s death comes in over the radio, igniting uncontrollable, pent-up rage in the ghetto’s youth, who lust for revenge. Suddenly, the two officers find themselves fair game and must fight tooth and claw to find a way out.
The Penultimate
Denmark | 2020 | 120 min
Director: Jonas Kærup Hjort
Cast: Joen Højerslev, Joen Bille, Anne Fletting, Malene Melsen
Synopsis
A Kafkaesque tale about an insignificant water inspector who arrives at a giant remote building to register the residents’ water meters. Before he knows of it, he finds himself trapped inside the building facing an “Alice in No-Wonderland”-like maze of obstacles. In his attempt to escape, perception of reality, the rational, and the remnants of his human existence are turned upside down.
Uncle
Denmark | 2019 | 110 min
Director: Frelle Petersen
Cast: Jette Søndergaard, Peter Hansen Tygesen, Ole Caspersen, Tue Frisk Petersen
Synopsis
Kris, living with her uncle since her teenage years, is starting to second guess her current life, at her disabled uncle’s farm. As love crosses her path, a possible life changing question emerges.
The 2021 FIFF is scheduled to get underway in the Iranian capital on May 26-June 2. This year’s event is presided over by Iranian film director and screenwriter Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour. The festival is widely considered one of the most prestigious and influential in Asia, Europe and Greater Middle East.
