Italiensk for begyndere (2000)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Writer:

Lone Scherfig (writer)

Release Date:

8 December 2000 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Asistencia Opcional. Pasión Requerida. (Attendance Optional. Passion Required)

Plot:

Several lonely hearts in a semi-provincial suburb of a town in Denmark use a beginner's course in Italian as the platform to meet the romance of their lives.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Restaurant | Denmark | Minister | Widower

Awards:

20 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Anders W. Berthelsen	...	Andreas
Anette Støvelbæk	...	Olympia
Ann Eleonora Jørgensen	...	Karen
Peter Gantzler	...	Jørgen Mortensen
Lars Kaalund	...	Hal-Finn
Sara Indrio Jensen	...	Giulia
Karen-Lise Mynster	...	Kirsten, the real estate dealer
Rikke Wölck	...	Lise, the nurse
Elsebeth Steentoft	...	Kirketjener
Bent Mejding	...	Reverend Wredmann
Lene Tiemroth	...	Karen's Mother
Claus Gerving	...	Klaus Graversen
Jesper Christensen	...	Olympia's Father
Merete Voldstedlund
Henning Jensen	...	Leif, Karen's father

Also Known As:

Dogme # 12 - Italiensk for begyndere (Denmark) (series title)
Dogme LS (Denmark) (working title)
Italian for Beginners (International: English title)
Italienska för nybörjare (Sweden)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

112 min | Germany:118 min (Berlin Film Festival) | Italy:118 min | USA:118 min (Telluride Film Festival) | USA:97 min (DVD version)

Country:

Denmark | Sweden

Language:

Danish | Italian | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Ireland:15 (IFCO) | Hungary:14 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Denmark:7 | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Avedøre, Sjælland, Denmark

Company:

Danmarks Radio (DR)

Trivia:

French "Visa d'exploitation" #103168.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At the Christmas service, the congregation use the hymn book to sing "Barn Jesus i en krybbe lå". However, this song was not included in the hymn book of 1953 (which would be the one used in the movie) as it was not considered a "proper" hymn until 2003, when it was included in the newest version of the hymn book.

Quotes:

Olympia's Father: That sounds disgusting.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bodilfesten 2001 (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Barn Jesus i en krybbe la

Charm that grows on you

I have to admit, after the first few minutes I was wondering if I'd even manage to finish the whole thing. Also, as this was the first Dogme film I'd seen, I was also really questioning the whole concept. The opening scenes seemed amateurish in both filming and acting, with jerky editing and camera movements, and seemingly one-dimensional characters. But it really grew on me as I kept watching. The more the characters revealed themselves, the more sympathetic and complex they became. It actually became quite engrossing as the film progressed. There were just so many moments of geniune warmth and humor. In fact, what really struck me about this film after it was all over was its geniuneness. I haven't seen anything so heartwarming in a long time. 8/10.