Bænken (2000)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Per Fly

Writers:

Kim Leona (screenplay) &
Per Fly (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

1990s | Alcoholic | Alcoholism | Based On Article | Class Differences

Awards:

11 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Jesper Christensen	...	Kaj
Marius Sonne Janischefska	...	Jonas
Stine Holm Joensen	...	Liv
Nicolaj Kopernikus	...	Stig
Jens Albinus	...	Kim
Sarah Boberg	...	Connie (as Sarah Kjærgaard Boberg)
Benjamin Boe Rasmussen	...	Bo
Lars Brygmann	...	Lars
Lars Ranthe	...	Kaptajnen
Holger Perfort	...	Hr. Nandrup
Britta Lillesøe	...	Lis
John Martinus	...	Toiletpasser
Petrine Agger	...	Sygeplejerske
Ann Kristine Schmidt	...	Receptionist
Anette Støvelbæk	...	Kims Nabo

Also Known As:

Bänken (Sweden)
The Bench (International: English title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

Denmark | Sweden

Language:

Danish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Denmark:15 | Norway:15 | Sweden:11 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Avedøre Stationsby, Hvidovre, Denmark

Company:

Zentropa Entertainments

Trivia:

Director Per Fly originally came up with the idea of making the film after reading an article by the leader of charity organization Kirkens Korshær about poverty and social problems in Denmark. As part of his later research he intensely followed the work of a social counselor for some time. He based the film's characters on the people he saw and met during that period.

Goofs:

Continuity: Kaj's name on the letterbox reappears after he has destroyed it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bænken - med virkeligheden som udgangspunkt (2000) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Le grand café

Hard hitting drama.

We've all of us seen them: the alcoholics wasting their lives sitting on our cities' benches. What we don't see is the drama behind the alcohol.

What struck me while watching Baenken is that it is all so believable and therefore the more painful to watch. The story of this film becomes less important than the leading character's death wish. His cynical attitude towards life and suicidal drinking habits are what sticks in one's mind.

Jesper Christensen is masterful in portraying the misery, the shame and hopelessness that go with alcoholism. The drinking bout in which he cries while lying wounded in his apartment is gut wrenching to watch.

Not an easy film to watch but definitely worthwhile if one has the stomach for it.