Den du frygter (2008)

Director:

Kristian Levring

Writers:

Anders Thomas Jensen (writer)
Kristian Levring (writer)

Release Date:

19 December 2008 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A man signs up for a test trial of a new anti-depressant as a way to change his life. When the trial is called off, he continues taking the medication with violent results.

Awards:

2 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Ulrich Thomsen	...	Mikael
Paprika Steen	...	Sigrid
Emma Sehested Høeg	...	Selma (as Emma Sehsted Høeg)
Lars Brygmann	...	Frederik
Stine Stengade	...	Ellen
Josephine Märcher Sandig	...	Pia
Bodil Udsen	...	Edith
Bjarne Henriksen	...	Kenneth
Ole Boisen	...	Rickard (as Ole Gorter Boisen)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Silja Amalie Bjerregaard	...	Hospitalsgæst
Tine Bojanna Bjerregaard	...	Hospitalsgæst
Morten Hauch-Fausbøll	...	Hr. Jørgensen
Michael Jensen	...	Skraldemand
Charlotte Juul	...	Fru Jørgensen
Søren Malling	...	Søren Karlsen
Elsebeth Nielsen	...	Sygeplejerske
Jakob Fals Nygaard	...	Tobias
Ellen Nyman	...	Receptionist
Henrik Prip	...	Esben
Ulrika Sabroe	...	Dame i Testgruppe
Märcher Josephine Sandig	...	Pia
Kim Westi	...	Midaldrende Mand

Also Known As:

Fear Me Not (International: English title)

Runtime:

Canada:95 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Argentina:95 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Denmark

Language:

Danish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Argentina:16

Company:

Sirena Film

Boundaries

Hitchcock would be proud. The art of hinting within cinema is still alive. This doesn't spell everything out for you. The trailer for this does not do it justice. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. It is a film about discontentment, control, and the urges and thoughts lying just beneath the surface. I was pleased to find that Anders Thomas Jensen helped write this, as I enjoyed Blinkende Lygter(or Flickering Lights) and Mørke(also known as Murk), the latter in particular. I would say that you can tell that he had a hand in making this. I believe this is the first film by Levring I've seen, but I certainly am taking notice to his directorial style. Interesting choices are made, among other places in framing and cutting. The editing and cinematography are definitely worth attention. The story-telling is very subtle, and the use of narration does not become a crutch. The pacing is spot-on, it never moved too slow or fast. The acting is excellent, every single performance is beyond reproach. Even the kid, and that's not something that happens all that often. The use of music is good. This can be rather intense, and proper care is taken to build up suspense. There is a little sexuality including obscured nudity, as well as a bit of language and bloodless violence in this. I recommend this to anyone who wants the themes explored for 95 minutes, and/or those who dig a great thriller. 8/10