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Throughout the course of cinematic history, Danish film has made a significant contribution, with its directors among the elite ranks of world cinema’s auteurs. The American Cinematheque is proud to host the 1st Annual Showcase of Danish Film, this year celebrating, the influential Dogme 95 movement (1995-2005).

Founded in 1995 by vanguard Danish directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, Dogme 95 gave birth to the groundbreaking works THE CELEBRATION (Vinterberg) and THE IDIOTS (von Trier). Joining the movement were Danish directors Soren Kragh-Jacobsen and Kristian Levring, who along with von Trier and Vinterberg formed the initial Dogme Brethren. During the next decade, Dogme 95 inspired over 100 films of diverse nationalities and budgets, made by filmmakers eager to follow Dogme’s manifesto and take "The Vow of Chastity." This now-infamous vow was a set of ten rules designed to simplify moviemaking techniques and return cinema to a focus on truth in story and character. Refreshing in their emotional intensity and vérité-style, the Dogme films led critics and movie buffs around the world to applaud "the new new wave." Films as varied as Lone Scherfig’s ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS or Harmony Korine’s JULIEN DONKEY-BOY were produced under the creative challenges of Dogme 95 and its impact continues today to inform movies mainstream and otherwise, as well as television programs and commercials. The Cinematheque is pleased to present a sampling of the films that defined the Dogme movement, with in-person guests!

We are thrilled to welcome, at the Aero theatre the leading star of Denmark - actor Ulrich Thomsen, actress Helena Christensen, directors Mads Mikkelsen and script writer, Anders Thomas Jensen. Susanne Bier, Christopher Boe, and Jorgen Leth, as well as His Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark.

Thursday, June 1 - 7:30 PM

Ulrich Thomsen in person! CELEBRATION (FESTEN - DOGME #1), 1998, Focus Feature, 105 min. Dir.Thomas Vinterberg. Family and friends gather at a manor house for the patriarch’s 60th birthday party. During dinner, the eldest son, Christian (Ulrich Thomsen), gives a speech unraveling shocking family secrets. After its 1998 world premiere in Cannes, this became a worldwide festival and arthouse hit, bringing home numerous awards, including Special Jury Prize at Cannes, Best Foreign Film at the New York Film Festival and Los Angeles Critics' Awards.

ALLEGRO, 2005, Alphaville Copenhage, 88 min. Dir. Christpher Boe. After a long absence, a famous pianist, Zetterstrom, returns to his native Copenhagen. A perfectionist by nature, he also has a major flaw: he can't remember anything from his past. So, when contacted by a messenger from the Zone, a mysterious other world situated in the middle of the city, he attempts to reconnect with himself, his lost memories, and what remains in his mind about a lost love. Discussion in between films with actor Ulrich Thomsen (CELEBRATION) and director Christopher Boe and actress Helena Christensen (ALLEGRO). There will be a wine and cheese reception before the show.

Friday, June 2 - 7:30 PM
ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS (ITALIENSK FOR BEGYNDERE -DOGME # 12), 2000, Miramax, 118 min. Dir. Lone Scherfig. A motley group of suburbanites come together at an evening-school class due to their shared interest in the Italian language. A waiter and a waitress, a pastry chef and a minister, a cafeteria manager and a ladies' hairdresser - all lonely and looking for love. One of the biggest Danish box-office hits ever, both at home and abroad, the film won the Silver Bear in Berlin.

MIFUNE (MIFUNES SIDSTE SANG - DOGME # 3), 1999, 98 min. Dir. Soren K. Jacobsen. When his father dies, a successful young businessman is called back to the ramshackle family farm. Forsaking his career in Copenhagen, he decides to stay and take care of his mentally challenged brother. He hires a housekeeper, a beautiful prostitute looking to quit the business. The film also won the Silver Bear in Berlin. Discussion in between films with the writer of Mifune and two other Dogme films, Anders Thomas Jensen.

Saturday, June 3 - 6:30 PM

Tribute to Susanne Bier in Person!
OPEN HEARTS (ELSKER DIG FOR EVIGT – DOGME #28), 2002, Newmarket, 113 min. Dir. Susanne Bier. A woman runs over a young man with her car. Left a paraplegic, he rejects the love and care of his girlfriend, who, in turn, seeks comfort from his doctor, incidentally none other than the driver’s husband. They begin an affair and the doctor’s family life starts cracking.

BROTHERS, 2004, IFC Films, 110 min. Dir. Susan Bier. Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) has everything under control: a successful military career, a beautiful wife (Connie Nielsen) and two daughters. His younger brother Jannik (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is a drifter, living on the edge of the law. When Michael is sent to Afghanistan on a UN mission, the balance between the two brothers changes forever. Michael is missing in action - presumed dead - and Sarah is comforted by Jannik, who against all odds shows himself capable of taking responsibility for both himself and the family. Introduction by His Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark. Discussion following both films with Susanne Bier and Ulrich Thomsen and writer Anders Thomas Jensen and Mads Mikkelsen who appears in Open Hearts.

Sunday, June 4 - 6:30 PM

"Perfect Human" ("Det Perfekte Menneske," 12 min.) Dir. Jorgen Leth. This classic, ironic short by Danish filmmaker Jorgen Leth was proclaimed "the perfect film" by Lars von Trier, and three decades after it was made, it became the inspiration for Leth and von Trier's 2003 artistic duel, THE FIVE OBSTRUCTIONS. Leth's 13-minute black and white film presents a pseudo-anthropological analysis of human behavior as it follows a man and a woman in clinical detail going about their daily activities: eating, cutting their nails, lying down, etc.
FIVE OBSTRUCTIONS, 2003, Lorber, 90 min. Dirs. Lars von Trier and Jorgen Leth. No Dogme film, this plays around with other rules that apply only to this particular motion picture. A virtuoso game exploring an artist's engagement and detachment, the film has attracted considerable international attention.

Uncut Version! THE IDIOTS (DOGME # 2), 1998, Focus Features, 117 min. Director Lars von Trier’s bizarre comedy-drama follows in near-mockumentary style the adventures of a motley collective of middle-class truthseekers attempting to get in touch with their "inner idiot." Veering wildly from absurdist vignettes to stinging, bared-to-the-bone drama, von Trier impishly examines the variety of, and motivations behind, civilized conventions and what happens when they’re stripped away, leaving the impulsive, instinctive ego beneath. With jawdropping performances by Bodil Jorgensen as Karen and Jens Albinus as Stoffer. Note: We will be screening the uncut, Danish version of the film. Due to explicit imagery, no one under 17 will be admitted to this screening. Discussion in between films with Jorgen Leth and LA Weekly critic Scott Foundas.