DANISH CINEMATOGRAPHY DAYS
Lars von Trier, Susanne Bier, Thomas Vinterberg, Nicolas Winding Refn, Bille August ... Although these important Danish directors will not come to Zlín, film enthusiast of the 53rd ZFF will be able to view their films as part of Danish Cinematography Days.
Differently from last year's Irish film showcase, there will be many children and youth movies shown that have rich tradition in Denmark. Many filmmakers always have been involved in their production with an immense support of the state. Furthermore, these films are very popular and sought after by the home crowd and it is for this reason that the genre stands equally side by side with others, may it be artistic or commercial.
The section of Danish production for children and youth will showcase films that will have their premier at ZFF. Hence the audience will be unable to see gems such as The Substitute (2007) Ole Bornedal, We Shall Overcome (2006) or Worlds Apart (2008) by Niels Arden Oplev. However, instead the audience will be able to watch for example film Zappa (1983), one part of the famous youth trilogy by world renowned director Bille August. Apart from others, the festivals has chosen for the children audience Rubber Tarzan (1981), a touching story about 8 year old Ivan whose bullying and family troubles force him to escape into his own fantasy world. The director is Søren Kragh-Jacobsen who graduated from FAMU and who is one of the original co-founders of the film movement Dogma 95.
The showcase would be incomplete without the fantasy genre - The Island of Lost Souls, or the historical theme in a form of travel to Viking time - Timetrip (2009), realistic stories about the heart aches of becoming of age - Scratch (2003), Life Hits, 2006), Aching Hearts (2009). For the enjoyment of the youngest the cinemas will offer projections of animated adventures of Danish film legend Jannik Hastrup - War of the Birds (1990) a The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear (2003).
As every year and as part of the Days of European Film there will be a selection of the best even for the adult audience. On the silver screens of Zlin's cinemas there will appear Oscar winners for the best film in foreign language -Pelle the Conqueror (1987), Babette´s Feast (1987) and In a Better World (2010). The debut film by a very talented young director Nicolas Winding Refn - Pusher (1996), where the leading role was performed by currently the most famous Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, will also be shown. The latest film Adam's Apples (2005) by Anders Thomas Jensen author of many famous Danish screenplays -will be shown with subtitles.
A lot of attention will be given to two names of Danish and world cinematography - Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. The audience will be able to enjoy three films in total from each of the directors and the films will be time scaled as before, during and after Dogma 95. Specifically, the films in question are Breaking the Waves (1996), Idiots (1998) and Melancholia (2011) by Lars von Trier and The Greates Heroes (1996), The Celebration (1998) and The Hunt (2012) by Thomas Vinterberg.
Many more Danish film gems plus the newest creations for children and youth are already waiting in the production offices in Zlin so they can be showcased to the lovers of the silver screen in the last week of May.