At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed.
Director:
Thomas Vinterberg (uncredited)
From metacritic.com
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Title: The Celebration (1998)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ulrich Thomsen | ... | Christian | |
| Henning Moritzen | ... | Faderen - Helge | |
| Thomas Bo Larsen | ... | Michael | |
| Paprika Steen | ... | Helene | |
 |
Birthe Neumann | ... | Moderen - Else |
| Trine Dyrholm | ... | Pia | |
|
|
Helle Dolleris | ... | Mette |
|
|
Therese Glahn | ... | Michelle |
|
|
Klaus Bondam | ... | Toastmasteren - Master of Ceremonies |
| Bjarne Henriksen | ... | Kokken - Kim | |
|
|
Gbatokai Dakinah | ... | Gbatokai |
|
|
Lasse Lunderskov | ... | Onklen - Uncle |
| Lars Brygmann | ... | Receptionisten - Receptionist | |
|
|
Lene Laub Oksen | ... | Søsteren - Sister |
|
|
Linda Laursen | ... | Birthe |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
The Father turns 60. His family, which is a big one of the kind, gathers to celebrate him on a castle. Everybody likes and respects the father deeply...or do they? The youngest son is trying to live up to the father's expectations. He is running a grill-bar in a dirty part of Copenhagen. The oldest son runs a restaurant in France, while the sister is a anthropologist. The older sister has recently committed suicide and the father asks the oldest son to say a few words about her, because he is afraid he will break into tears if he does it himself. The oldest son agrees without argument. Actually he has already written two speeches. A yellow and a green one. By the table, he asks the father to pick a speech. The father chooses green. The oldest son announces that this is the Speech of Truth. Everybody laughs, except for the father who gets a nervous look on his face. For he knows that the oldest son is about to reveal the secret of why the oldest sister killed herself. Written by Jonas L.
Taglines:
Every family has a secret. See more »Genres:
DramaMotion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong sexual content and language, including references to sexual abuse | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
19 June 1998 (Denmark) See more »Also Known As:
The Celebration See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,300,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$27,621, 11 October 1998, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$1,647,780, 21 February 1999Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
Edit
[subtitled version]
Christian Klingenfeldt: [on his cellphone] Christian speaking... Hi, I'm here now. I landed this morning. What? Er... Washed? I shaved at the airport if you must know. I shaved at the airport if you must know! I'm fine... right now I'm looking across the fields. At the land of my father. It's beautiful. It makes me want to move back for good, but that'd be problematical. I'll make it. Yes, I suppose it will be... shocking. What?... You're dropping out. O.K. Bye.
See more »
By Niels C. Andersen
Dacapo
c/o Warner/Chappell Music Denmark A/S
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Thomas Vinterberg "confessed" to having covered a window during the shooting of one scene, which is a breaking of two Dogme rules - no bringing props onto the set, and no use of special lighting. See more »Goofs
The sister takes the sheet from one of the chairs twice as she uncovers the furniture. See more »Quotes
[first lines][subtitled version]
Christian Klingenfeldt: [on his cellphone] Christian speaking... Hi, I'm here now. I landed this morning. What? Er... Washed? I shaved at the airport if you must know. I shaved at the airport if you must know! I'm fine... right now I'm looking across the fields. At the land of my father. It's beautiful. It makes me want to move back for good, but that'd be problematical. I'll make it. Yes, I suppose it will be... shocking. What?... You're dropping out. O.K. Bye.
See more »
Alternate Versions
The DVD also contains an alternative ending. See more »Soundtracks
Jeg har set en rigtig negermandBy Niels C. Andersen
Dacapo
c/o Warner/Chappell Music Denmark A/S
See more »
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"Festen" aka "The Celebration" was the impressive directorial debut of the young Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg ("It's All About Love", "Dear Wendy"), and the first film made according to the rules of the daring Dogme 95 movement. It shows that you don't need big budgets to make a great film. However, Dogme wouldn't work if its films weren't as daring as its ideals of film-making - and "Festen" proved that those guys really have much to say.
"Festen" is an extremely cruel film, and it's somewhat uneasy to watch in some moments. The celebration of the title refers to the 60th birthday of Helge Klingenfeldt-Hansen (Henning Moritzen), who entertains his big family in his castle. But Helge's son, Christian (Ulrich Thomsen, excellent), whose twin sister recently committed suicide, has an important revelation that will surprise - and displease - many people; in the meantime, other secrets are revealed and nobody will get away clean. "Festen" deserved all praise/awards it got in international festivals (it won the Jury Prize at Cannes 98) and is a great introduction to Danish cinema. My vote is 10/10.