Flickering Lights (2000)

A gang of 4 Danish criminals are ordered by Færingen to steal a bag from a safe. When they see DKK4,000,000 in the bag, they keep it for themselves and head for Spain. They end up in a ruin of an old restaurant on Funen and renovate it.

Director:

Anders Thomas Jensen

Writer:

Anders Thomas Jensen (screenplay)

Stars:

Søren Pilmark, Ulrich Thomsen, Mads Mikkelsen

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Søren Pilmark	...	Torkild
Ulrich Thomsen	...	Peter
Mads Mikkelsen	...	Arne
Nikolaj Lie Kaas	...	Stefan
Sofie Gråbøl	...	Hanne
Iben Hjejle	...	Therese
Frits Helmuth	...	Carl
Ole Thestrup	...	Alfred Jæger
Peter Andersson	...	Færingen
Niels Anders Thorn	...	William
Henning Jensen	...	Peters Far
Solbjørg Højfeldt	...	Peters Mor
Jesper Asholt	...	Torkilds Far
Helle Dolleris	...	Torkilds Mor
Bent Mejding	...	Farfar

Storyline

Four small-time gangsters from Copenhagen trick a gangster boss: they take over 4,000,000 kroner which they were supposed to bring him. Trying to escape to Barcelona they are forced to stop in the countryside, in an old, wrecked house, hiding there for several weeks. Slowly, one after another, they realize, that they would like to stay there, starting a new life, renovating the house and forming it into a restaurant. But they can't avoid being caught up by their past.

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Plot Keywords:

cigarette smoking | dark humor | gangster | restaurant | escape | 

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Taglines:

De har altid været på flugt - nu løber de for livet.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Denmark Sweden

Language:

Danish

Release Date:

3 November 2000 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Flickering Lights

Filming Locations:

Det Danske Filmstudie, Lyngby, Sjælland, Denmark

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,760,077

Company Credits

Production Co:

M&M Productions, Danmarks Radio (DR), SVT Drama

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stefan (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is seen eating in almost all of his scenes.

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Goofs

Most of the film takes place in an old inn, which has not been in use for years. Yet electricity is readily available when Torkild brings a TV and a video.

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Quotes

Peter: It smells like rotten ass in here! I need some coke!

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Connections

References Matador (1978)

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Soundtracks

Don't Run for the Money
Written and Performed by Peter Viskinde

User Reviews

An original, fabulous genre hybrid

Quite exceptional Danish genre hybrid from director Anders Thomas Jensen. It has a maturity and confidence about it that is rare and surreal comedic aspects that reminded me of the wonderful ANTONIA'S LINE.

Four emotionally unstable criminals, led by Torkild, commit a robbery to repay a large debt to The Eskimo, a violent, murderous thug. Instead of delivering the loot, the men flee to the countryside where they begin a new life.

A threadbare synopsis does no justice to this wonderfully rich and magical film which expertly blends brutal violence, the blackest of humour and Roald Dahl-style childhood flashbacks to tell a fascinating, highly original story.

The characterizations are brilliant and the producers deserve a medal for having the courage to attempt a piece so violent (at times) and so utterly human.

Although all performances are wonderful, a special mention must go to Ole Thestrup who plays local game hunter Alfred. His reaction to an offer of firearms in exchange for the life of his cow is priceless.

An absolute winner and a perceptive reflection on happiness, love, friendship and identity.