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Festen (1998)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
19 June 1998 (Denmark) moreTagline:
Every family has a secret. morePlot:
At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 24 wins & 15 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Birthday Suit: Dolph 'the biggest one' Lundgren (From FilmExperience. 3 November 2009, 7:06 PM, PST)
‘IFC Midnight’ Features Some of the Best Films on Demand
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 5 June 2009, 12:16 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
This family would need a lot of help just to be dysfunctional. more (207 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Celebration (UK) (USA)Dogme # 1 - Festen (Denmark) (series title)
Dogme 1 (Denmark)
Festen (UK)
The Celebration: Dogme #1 (Canada: English title) (DVD title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexual content and language, including references to sexual abuse.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
105 minColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
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:RFilming Locations:
Skjoldenæsholm, Sjælland, DenmarkFun Stuff
Trivia:
Director Cameo: [Thomas Vinterberg]The taxi driver dropping off Helene's boyfriend, Gbatokai moreGoofs:
Plot holes: All children "disappear" just before the dinner. moreQuotes:
[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.
more
Soundtrack:
Brudevalsen moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (207 total)
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First of all, the home video camera style, casting and editing perfectly suited the subject matter and script. Wealthy and overbearing patriarch is feted on the occasion of his 60th birthday -- extended family and hangers-on gather with some of the best and worst aspects of our culture on display. It's also a rather sad occasion, as one of daddy's daughters killed herself not long ago, but several guests mention how "nice" the funeral was, and which room is mine? Eldest son rises to give a toast to the old man -- and out comes some unpleasantness that people would either prefer to pretend they didn't hear, or stuff forcefully back down his throat. Then the fun really starts.
Thanks to the cast for acting with restraint -- and being believable.
Some very black humour (including pathetic scenes of the decadent bourgeoisie at play), none of it gratuitous, some of it damning, some just outrageously funny. But this is not a light film in any sense. Guess what really happens when the victimised family member tells the truth? Ouch! What about when mommy gets to choose between husband and child? Double ouch!! And finally, when victim asks dad why he did it -- well, prepare for the blow to the old solar plexus...
Trust me, I know. This is how it really happens. It's good to see a well-crafted film (that gives its human themes paramount importance) on this subject. I'm tired of watching films which try to make me feel sorry for rich kids whose parents just don't understand how hard it is to be a rich kid with pimples.
As the families (one in ten?) with histories like this one can attest, being "dysfunctional" would have been a very happy place to be, compared to the reality as shown in this fine film.