Festen (1998)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Writers:

Thomas Vinterberg (screenplay) &
Mogens Rukov (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

19 June 1998 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Every family has a secret.

Plot:

At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed.

Plot Keywords:

Speech | Birthday | Suicide | Family Secret | Estate

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 24 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Ulrich Thomsen	...	Christian
Henning Moritzen	...	Faderen - Helge
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Michael
Paprika Steen	...	Helene
Birthe Neumann	...	Moderen - Else
Trine Dyrholm	...	Pia
Helle Dolleris	...	Mette
Therese Glahn	...	Michelle
Klaus Bondam	...	Toastmasteren - Master of Ceremonies
Bjarne Henriksen	...	Kokken - Kim
Gbatokai Dakinah	...	Gbatokai
Lasse Lunderskov	...	Onklen - Uncle
Lars Brygmann	...	Receptionisten - Receptionist
Lene Laub Oksen	...	Søsteren - Sister
Linda Laursen	...	Birthe

Also Known As:

The Celebration (UK) (USA)
Dogme # 1 - Festen (Denmark) (series title)
Dogme 1 (Denmark)
The Celebration: Dogme #1 (Canada: English title) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content and language, including references to sexual abuse.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

Denmark | Sweden

Language:

Danish | German | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | France:-12 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Skjoldenæsholm, Sjælland, Denmark

Company:

Nimbus Film Productions

Trivia:

The film was declared to be the worst-dubbed movie released in 1999, in Germany.

Goofs:

Plot holes: All children "disappear" just before the dinner.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[subtitled version]
Christian Klingenfeldt: [on his cellphone] Christian speaking... Hi, I'm here now. I landed this morning. What? Er... Washed? I shaved at the airport if you must know. I shaved at the airport if you must know! I'm fine... right now I'm looking across the fields. At the land of my father. It's beautiful. It makes me want to move back for good, but that'd be problematical. I'll make it. Yes, I suppose it will be... shocking. What?... You're dropping out. O.K. Bye.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in For Pete's Wake! (2007)

Soundtrack:

Brudevalsen

If you haven't seen this... go right now!

A film so involving that a score, proper editing, and lighting are hardly missed. You are experiencing this world first hand... and what a screwed up, wonderful journey it is. I can't even begin to go into the story because it would be a crime. You have to see this for yourself. Don't be disuaded by the subtitles or strange look of the movie. Let it run for fifteen minutes and you'll be hooked. This is a powerful, powerful little movie. Guranteed to stay with you days after you've seen it. Do yourself a huge favor and rent this movie asap. If you're fed up with the cookie cutter Hollywood garbage this will be most refreshing.