Det Danske Filminstitut

To mark the centenary of Carl Th. Dreyer’s international breakthrough with ‘Master of the House’ (1925), Kosmorama publishes two new peer-reviewed articles by Peter Aurdal-Lawrence of Cambridge University, based on his research in the Dreyer Archive at the Danish Film Institute.

Taken together, the essays explore the astonishing range of Dreyer’s œuvre — from the formally radical ‘Gertrud’ (1964) to the humanist clarity of ‘Day of Wrath’ (1943).

In ‘Aesthetics and Politics in Carl Th. Dreyer’s "Day of Wrath" (1943)’, Aurdal-Lawrence examines how Dreyer’s story of witchcraft and repression moves beyond its 17th-century setting. Stylisation and restraint elevate the film’s critique of institutional power to a universal level — one that remains painfully relevant.

In ‘Deciphering Dreyer: Props and Symbols in "Gertrud" (1964)’, he offers a fresh reading of what David Bordwell once called “the most problematic film of Dreyer’s career.” By analysing Dreyer’s meticulous use of props — notably the piano and the statue of Venus — the essay uncovers a more life-affirming and sensuous dimension to this often-misunderstood work.

“Dreyer’s films are inexhaustible. Every new generation — and every new scholarly approach — finds different meanings in them,” says Lars-Martin Sørensen, Head of Research at the Danish Film Institute.

Read both articles in Kosmorama:
👉Deciphering Dreyer: Props and Symbols in Gertrud (1964) https://www.kosmorama.org/artikler/deciphering-dreyer-props-symbols-gertrud
👉Aesthetics and Politics in Carl Th. Dreyer’s Day of Wrath (1943): https://www.kosmorama.org/artikler/aesthetics-politics-dreyers-day-wrath

✨The Danish Oscar Committee, made up of representatives from the film industry and the Danish Film Institute, has chosen to submit David Borenstein’s documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin as Denmark’s official Oscar entry in the International Feature Film Award category✨

The film now enters the race against films from around the world to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards, which will take place on March 15, 2026👏

The film was submitted by Made in Copenhagen and qualified based on its commercial Danish theatrical release on March 22.

Tine Fischer, Director of the Danish Film Institute and Chair of the Danish Oscar Committee, says:

"This year’s shortlisted Danish Oscar titles show great diversity and strength, and after thorough consideration, the committee has decided to select Mr. Nobody Against Putin. It is a courageous film that dares to approach one of the most complex and conflict-filled issues of our time—without losing sight of the human dimension. It balances humor, absurdity, and seriousness with great precision, and testifies to what documentary film can achieve when it insists on both form and content. It is a film that does not offer easy answers, but asks important questions—and precisely for that reason, we believe it has international potential."

Read more
https://www.dfi.dk/english/denmarks-oscar-candidate-mr-nobody-against-putin

Emilie Thalund’s debut feature 'Weightless' will have its world premiere in the New Directors competition at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, taking place from 19 to 27 September.

The film follows 15-year-old Lea, who is spending the summer at a health retreat for young people. There, she befriends the spontaneous and self-assured Sasha, whom she both admires and mirrors herself in. While Sasha seeks attention from local boys, Lea becomes infatuated with the adult caretaker Rune. The story explores themes of friendship, fascination, and personal boundaries.

Marie Helweg Augustsen and Ella Paaske play the lead roles, with supporting performances by Joachim Fjelstrup and Jessica Dinnage. The screenplay is written by Marianne Lentz, and the film’s visual language is developed in collaboration with cinematographer Louise McLaughlin. Director Emilie Thalund holds a master’s degree from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

The film is produced by Anna Dammegaard Søllested and Clara Jantzen Kreinøe for Snowglobe, with support from New Danish Screen, the Danish Film Institute’s talent development scheme, and DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation).

'The Last Viking' has been selected for the Venice Film Festival, where it will be shown in the official programme outside of competition.

The film is directed by Anders Thomas Jensen and produced by Sisse Graum Jørgensen and Sidsel Hybschmann for Zentropa.

'The Last Viking' is about the loner Anker, who is released after 15 years in prison for robbery. Anker's brother, Manfred, is the only one who knows where the money from the robbery is. However, he has been struck by a mental challenge that means he is no longer aware of where it is hidden. Together, the brothers return to the land of their childhood to find the money, but also to find out who they really are.

The film is supported by the Danish Film Institute and FilmFyn. The Venice Film Festival begins on 27 August.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)