Tro, håb og kærlighed (1984)

Denmark, 1963: Teenagers Bjørn and Erik are into girls and being in a band helps Bjørn meet Anna. Erik likes Kirsten but she likes Bjørn. Having a mentally ill mom at home also ruins Erik's chances. Anna's pregnancy changes everything.

Director:

Bille August

Writers:

Bjarne Reuter, Bille August

Stars:

Adam Tønsberg, Lars Simonsen, Camilla Søeberg

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adam Tønsberg	...	Bjørn
Lars Simonsen	...	Erik
Camilla Søeberg	...	Anna
Ulrikke Bondo	...	Kirsten
Bent Mejding	...	Erik's father
Aase Hansen	...	Erik's mother (as Åse Hansen)
Arne Hansen	...	Bjørns father
Lone Lindorff	...	Bjørn's mother
Thomas Nielsen	...	Bjørn's littlebrother Henning
Malene Schwartz	...	Kirsten's mother
Troels Munk	...	Kirsten's father
Helle Spangaard	...	Kirsten's sister Inge
Kurt Ravn	...	Kurt
Grethe Mogensen	...	Anna's mother
Elga Olga Svendsen	...	Bjørn's grandmother (as Elga Olga)

Storyline

Danish teens come of age in 1963. Bjorn and Erik are close friends. Bjorn is pursued by Kirsten, a future Stepford wife, but he falls for Anna, who initiates him into love and sex. Erik is somber, caring for his home-bound mentally-ill mother while his strict father rules his life. He desires Kirsten, but she's unattainable. Pregnancy, a horrific abortion, an engagement party, and a revelation about the rectitude of Erik's father lead to a climax: Bjorn and Erik must stand up to controlling adults.

---

Plot Keywords:

postpartum depression | engagement party | party | pregnancy | danish | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

---

Details

Country:

Denmark

Language:

Danish

Release Date:

26 September 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Twist and Shout

Filming Locations:

Amalienborg, Copenhagen, Denmark

Company Credits

Production Co:

Per Holst Filmproduktion,Palle Fogtdal A/S,Danmarks Radio (DR)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Zappa (1983)

---

Soundtracks

Twist and Shout
(uncredited)
Written by Phil Medley & Bert Berns

User Reviews

growing pains

(add a few rating stars for the original Danish version)

The old John Lennon/Paul McCartney tune has always been a popular anthem for teenage rebels around the world, but in this attractive Danish period piece (set in Copenhagen circa 1963) the title is a bit misleading: there's precious little of the song's youthful exuberance in the lives of Bjørn and Erik, best friends who find their loyalty to each other tested by the traumas and disillusions of young adulthood.

At times the two characters almost seem to be in separate films: the outgoing, extroverted Bjørn enjoys the love of a lifetime with Anna before an unwanted pregnancy and painful abortion drives them apart, while the more shy and inhibited Erik battles his father over the emotional health of his mentally disturbed mother. Ironically, the film is almost too well crafted for its own good. The handsome imagery and meticulous camera-work aren't quite suited to a rock 'n' roll teen rite of passage, and the dramatic impact is further muted (on the old VHS tape I watched, at any rate) by the artless dubbing into textbook English.