Tro, håb og kærlighed (1984)

Director:

Bille August

Writers:

Bille August (writer)
Bjarne Reuter (writer)

Release Date:

26 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Danish teens come of age in 1963. Bjorn and Erik are close friends. Bjorn is pursued by Kirsten, a future Stepford wife...

Plot Keywords:

Abortion | Sequel | Title Based On Song

Awards:

5 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Adam Tønsberg	...	Bjørn
Lars Simonsen	...	Erik
Camilla Søeberg	...	Anna
Ulrikke Bondo	...	Kirsten
Bent Mejding	...	Erik's father
Aase Hansen	...	Erik's mother
Arne Hansen	...	Bjørns father
Lone Lindorff	...	Bjørn's mother
Thomas Nielsen	...	Bjørn's littlebrother Henning
Malene Schwartz	...	Kirsten's mother
Troels Munk	...	Kirsten's father
Helle Spangaard	...	Kirsten's sister Inge
Kurt Ravn	...	Kurt
Grethe Mogensen	...	Anna's mother
Elga Olga Svendsen	...	Bjørn's grandmother

Also Known As:

Twist and Shout

Runtime:

Sweden:108 min | USA:99 min

Country:

Denmark

Language:

Danish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Finland:K-14 | Sweden:11 | West Germany:16 | Germany:12

Company:

Childrens Film Council

Movie Connections:

Follows Zappa (1983)

This is probably the best coming-of-age film ever made.

I'm puzzled by the reactions I've read about this film. People call it "cute," or "curious." They think of it as a period piece, or a quirky comment on European sensibilities that they don't understand.

Nonsense. I consider this film one of the top three films ever made, in company with "Paris, Texas" and "Blue Velvet." It has little to do with its translated title "Twist and Shout" -- this is merely a reference to its setting, in 1963, and the fact that the main characters try to emulate The Beatles in dress and manner, as did probably the entire generation in that era.

The "Twist and Shout" business pertains to the setting only. This film gives one of the most raw, uncompromising looks at powerful human emotions -- friendship, loyalty, obsession, first love, loss, and betrayal -- that have ever been committed to celluloid. Directly translated from Danish, the title reads "Trust, Hope, and Love" -- and that, as direct and ambitious as it sounds, is EXACTLY what this film is about.

As the summary indicates, the abortion scene with Bjorn and Anna is both gut- and heart-wrenching. Erik's devotion to his mentally disturbed mother, and final self-emancipation from his dictatorial father, is as poignant as any depiction of the trauma of growing into adulthood as I have seen. And the endurance of the friendship between Erik and Bjorn, despite all that should have driven them apart, gives this disturbing, troubling film a bittersweet note of redemption that will linger long after its concluding scene.

Maybe it helps to be able to understand Danish, or be a little familiar with the culture (I lived for a year in Denmark when I was twelve). Still, I'm convinced that this excellent film has long been underrated, and that its themes are compelling and universal. If you can get hold of it, I strongly urge giving this film your attention. 10 out of 10.