Brothers (2004)
"Brødre" (original title)

Two brothers must negotiate changing roles and shifting family dynamics when one is sent to war in Afghanistan.

Director:

Susanne Bier

Writers:

Susanne Bier (story), Anders Thomas Jensen (story)

Stars:

Connie Nielsen, Ulrich Thomsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas

13 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Connie Nielsen	...	Sarah
Ulrich Thomsen	...	Michael
Nikolaj Lie Kaas	...	Jannik
Sarah Juel Werner	...	Natalia
Rebecca Løgstrup	...	Camilla (as Rebecca Løgstrup Soltau)
Bent Mejding	...	Henning
Solbjørg Højfeldt	...	Else
Niels Olsen	...	Allentoft
Paw Henriksen	...	Niels Peter
Lars Hjortshøj	...	Preben 2
Lars Ranthe	...	Preben 1
André Babikian	...	Nadeem
Lene Maria Christensen	...	J. Solvej
Laura Bro	...	Ditte
Henrik Koefoed	...	Bartender

Storyline

Michael has everything under control: a successful military career, a beautiful wife and two daughters. His younger brother Jannik 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. It soon becomes clear that their feelings have developed beyond mutual sympathy. When Michael comes home, traumatized by being held prisoner in the mountains of Afghanistan, nothing is the same...

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Plot Keywords:

afghanistan | prisoner | beaten to death | gun | adultery | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

IFC Films Official Site [Denmark]

Country:

Denmark UK Sweden Norway

Language:

Danish

Release Date:

27 August 2004 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Hermanos

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$8,161 (USA) (6 May 2005)

Gross:

$384,982 (USA) (12 August 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Two Brothers Ltd., Fjellape Film AS, Memfis Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

French visa # 114270.

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Goofs

When Michael is saying goodbye to the girls, the time on the clock jumps backwards between shots.

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Quotes

Michael: I will always love you. That is the only truth that remains. Life is neither right nor wrong, good or bad. But I love you. That's all I know.

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Connections

References Beauty and the Beast (1991)

User Reviews

A brilliant depiction of the impact of war on families

Best picture we've seen in 2005. Why can't Hollywood make movies like this any more? Great cast, great direction, dialogue perfectly written comes through with power even in Danish with English subtitles! Connie Nielsen is in a league with Myrl Streep as an actress. The portrayal of the rough and tumble relationship of the brothers is so real it seems alive. Make sure you see this movie either in the theatres or on DVD. Nielsen is gorgeous but realistically portrays a housewife. The parents are classic Scandinavians, stolid and down to earth. Two little girls are played with zest and great energy. And the brothers, are quite believable as brothers. If you are interested in serious cinema and grown up movies "Brothers" should be on your list.