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The Celebration

Original title: Festen
  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
86K
YOUR RATING
The Celebration (1998)
Home Video Trailer from October Films
Play trailer1:00
1 Video
81 Photos
  • Drama
At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed.At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed.At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
86K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Thomas Vinterberg(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Thomas Vinterberg(screenplay)
    • Mogens Rukov(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Ulrich Thomsen
    • Henning Moritzen
    • Thomas Bo Larsen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Thomas Vinterberg(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Thomas Vinterberg(screenplay)
    • Mogens Rukov(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Ulrich Thomsen
    • Henning Moritzen
    • Thomas Bo Larsen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 287User reviews
    • 110Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 28 wins & 23 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Celebration
    Trailer 1:00
    The Celebration

    Photos81

    Thomas Bo Larsen, Lasse Lunderskov, and Ulrich Thomsen in The Celebration (1998)
    Ulrich Thomsen in The Celebration (1998)
    Henning Moritzen in The Celebration (1998)
    Gbatokai Dakinah, Thomas Bo Larsen, and Paprika Steen in The Celebration (1998)
    Trine Dyrholm and Ulrich Thomsen in The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)
    The Celebration (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ulrich Thomsen
    Ulrich Thomsen
    • Christianas Christian
    Henning Moritzen
    Henning Moritzen
    • Faderen - Helge Klingenfeldas Faderen - Helge Klingenfeld
    Thomas Bo Larsen
    Thomas Bo Larsen
    • Michaelas Michael
    Paprika Steen
    Paprika Steen
    • Heleneas Helene
    Birthe Neumann
    • Moderen - Else Klingenfeldas Moderen - Else Klingenfeld
    Trine Dyrholm
    Trine Dyrholm
    • Piaas Pia
    Helle Dolleris
    • Metteas Mette
    Therese Glahn
    • Michelleas Michelle
    Klaus Bondam
    • Toastmasteren - Master of Ceremoniesas Toastmasteren - Master of Ceremonies
    Bjarne Henriksen
    Bjarne Henriksen
    • Kokken - Kimas Kokken - Kim
    Gbatokai Dakinah
    • Gbatokaias Gbatokai
    Lasse Lunderskov
    • Onklen - Uncleas Onklen - Uncle
    Lars Brygmann
    Lars Brygmann
    • Receptionisten - Receptionistas Receptionisten - Receptionist
    Lene Laub Oksen
    • Søsteren - Sisteras Søsteren - Sister
    Linda Laursen
    • Birtheas Birthe
    John Boas
    • Farfar - Grand-dadas Farfar - Grand-dad
    Erna Boas
    • Farmor - Grandmaas Farmor - Grandma
    Bent Henningsen
    • Statister - Extraas Statister - Extra
    • Director
      • Thomas Vinterberg(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Thomas Vinterberg(screenplay) (idea)
      • Mogens Rukov(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Since this is a Dogme-film, there cannot be any non-diegetic (artificial) sounds added, no post-production. The camera also needs to be hand-held. So when Christian falls to the floor in the reception and sees his sister, Christian himself had to hold the camera when falling. To achieve the "dizzy" sound, the original cameraman swung the microphone around in the air.
    • Goofs
      In an early scene, a cameraman can be seen reflected in a bedroom mirror (director Thomas Vinterberg noticed this but kept it in).
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      [subtitled version]

      Michael: Nice one, Dad. Good speech. Well done. But I think you'll have to go now so we can eat our breakfast.

      Faderen: Of course, of course.

      Faderen: [to his wife] Coming?

      Moderen: I'll stay here.

    • Alternate versions
      The DVD also contains an alternative ending.
    • Connections
      Featured in Bag om filmen 'Festen' (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      I Skovens dybe stille ro
      By Fritz Andersen

    User reviews287

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    #MeToo during the patriarch's birthday
    This surprise success based on an uncomfortable subject has become an essential reference adapted for theater in many countries. The film immediately gives the impression of having been filmed with a dysfunctional iPhone of the 70s suffering from a perfectible autofocus. This is certainly the expression of Dogme 95, a manifesto of a strong desire of the directors Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier to move away from a cinematographic world they consider too licked, too clean, too artificial, returning to a sobriety more expressive, more original, more formal, with an excessive despoilment of any aesthetic ambition. This impression will last until the last minute. After this rather negative observation, the film is excellent: between the dialogues, the acting and the unfolding of the story, it keeps you out of breath and you will wait for the epilogue with an unbearable impatience. A must see!
    helpful•24
    6
    • FrenchEddieFelson
    • Jun 1, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 19, 1998 (Denmark)
    • Countries of origin
      • Denmark
      • Sweden
    • Languages
      • Danish
      • German
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Festen
    • Filming locations
      • Skjoldenæsholm, Sjælland, Denmark
    • Production companies
      • Nimbus Film Productions
      • Danmarks Radio (DR)
      • Nordisk Film- & TV-Fond
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,656,223
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,657,778
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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