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The Bench (2000)
"Bænken" (original title)

 -  Drama  -  27 October 2000 (Denmark)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 2,332 users  
Reviews: 14 user | 4 critic

Kaj is an alcoholic living on the money the Danish state is providing him. Him and his friends spend their time drinking beer at a public bench. One day Kaj's life turns upside down when a young lady and her child moves in next to him.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Kaj
Marius Sonne Janischefska ...
Stine Holm Joensen ...
Liv
...
Stig
...
Kim
...
Connie (as Sarah Kjærgaard Boberg)
...
Bo
...
Lars Ranthe ...
Kaptajnen
Holger Perfort ...
Hr. Nandrup
Britta Lillesøe ...
Lis
John Martinus ...
Toiletpasser
Petrine Agger ...
Ann Kristine Schmidt ...
Receptionist
...
Kims Nabo
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

Kaj is an alcoholic living on the money the Danish state is providing him. Him and his friends spend their time drinking beer at a public bench. One day Kaj's life turns upside down when a young lady and her child moves in next to him.

Add Full Plot | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

thrown off balcony | balcony | roof | toilet | alcoholism | See more »

Genres:

Drama
| See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (Denmark)  »

Also Known As:

The Bench  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$1,152,925 (Denmark) (27 April 2001)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
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Technical Specs

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Sound Mix:

Color:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is the first of a trilogy by director Per Fly, the other two being "Arven" and "Drabet", dealing with Danish lower, middle and upper class respectively. See more »

Goofs

Kaj's name on the letterbox reappears after he has destroyed it. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Bodilfesten 2001 (2001) See more »

Soundtracks

"Mariehønen Evigglad"
Written by Henning Hansen and Halfdan Rasmussen
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User Reviews

Hard hitting drama.
12 November 2002 | by (Antwerp, Belgium) – See all my reviews

We've all of us seen them: the alcoholics wasting their lives sitting on our cities' benches. What we don't see is the drama behind the alcohol.

What struck me while watching Baenken is that it is all so believable and therefore the more painful to watch. The story of this film becomes less important than the leading character's death wish. His cynical attitude towards life and suicidal drinking habits are what sticks in one's mind.

Jesper Christensen is masterful in portraying the misery, the shame and hopelessness that go with alcoholism. The drinking bout in which he cries while lying wounded in his apartment is gut wrenching to watch.

Not an easy film to watch but definitely worthwhile if one has the stomach for it.
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