After the Wedding (2006)

A manager of an orphanage in India is sent to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he discovers a life-altering family secret.

Director:

Susanne Bier

Writers:

Susanne Bier (story), Anders Thomas Jensen (story)

Stars:

Mads Mikkelsen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rolf Lassgård

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mads Mikkelsen	...	Jacob Pederson
Neeral Mulchandani	...	Pramod, 8 year
Tanya Sharma	...	Indisk Pige 1
Swini Khara	...	Indisk Pige 2
Meenal Patel	...	Mrs. Shaw
Vallabh Gada	...	Suit No. 1
Hitesh Kotak	...	Suit No. 2
Suhita Thatte	...	Indisk Kvinde
Rolf Lassgård	...	Jörgen Lennart Hansson
Dispesh Mistry	...	Pramods Venner
Shivam Vichare	...	Pramods Venner (as Shivam Vicha)
Frederik Gullits Ernst	...	Martin Hansson
Kristian Gullits Ernst	...	Morten Hansson
Sidse Babett Knudsen	...	Helene Hansson
Mona Malm	...	Farmor (Grandmother)

Storyline

Jacob Pederson lives in shanty surroundings in Bombay, India, and assists in the running of Anand Orphanage and School. He had attempted a number of projects to assist orphans, including child prostitutes - all quite in vain. He has adopted a young male orphan, Pramod, and takes special care of him. With growing pressure on the facilities, which is on the verge bankruptcy, the orphanage receives an offer of funding from wealthy Danish citizen, Jörgen, which may put an end to its problems. In order to obtain the money, Jacob must travel to Copenhagen, meet with Jörgen, get financial assistance, and be back to celebrate Pramod's 8th birthday. He sets forth, is received by Christian Refner, an employee and future son-in-law of Jörgen. Jacob is shown all possible courtesy and even housed in a posh apartment. He subsequently meets with Jörgen, shows him video-tapes and submits that a few Kroner could really save several lives which would otherwise succumb to minor illnesses and infections....

---

Plot Keywords:

twin brothers | real twins playing twins | ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship | wedding | orphanage | 

---

Taglines:

champagne is poured... secrets are spilled.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

First Danish film to be nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 16 years.

---

Goofs

When the couple gets married, the rings are placed on the fingers, but no visible in scenes post marriage. The customs in Denmark may be different, but throughout the film, wedding bands, rings, etc. migrate from hand to hand (wedding band on the right hand for women, left for men), and also disappear.

---

Quotes

Jørgen Lennart Hannson: Time is precious... Every acquaintance, every friend, every person who has a place in your heart... it is the time with them that really means something, nothing else matters...

---

Connections

Featured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)

---

Soundtracks

EB Bossa
Written and Performed by Lars Hartvig and Hannibal Gustafsson
(c) + (p) 2005 Lars Hartvig & Hannibal Gustafsson

User Reviews

Denmark and India are worlds apart

Efter brylluppet (2006), written and directed by Susanne Bier, is a Danish film shown in the U.S. with the title "After the Wedding."

The film is like a jigsaw puzzle that has been started but not completed. As the story progresses, pieces are added to the puzzle one at a time. There are secrets upon secrets, and memories upon memories. Only one character knows the entire story, and he is hiding a secret of his own.

The film begins in India, and the footage shot there has the ring of truth about it. Most of the film concerns wealthy people living in Denmark. The contrast between the poor in India and the wealthy in Scandinavia is immense. (Actually, it's more than that--it defies description.)

The person who travels between India and Denmark--Jacob--is the link between these two worlds. He works in an orphanage in India, and he is sent to Denmark to convince a billionaire businessman to fund the project. The plot unfolds slowly, in a subtle and unpredictable manner. There are many ambiguities, and not all of these are sorted out by the end of the film.

The acting is extremely good, with outstanding lead actors and an excellent supporting cast. If I had to single out one actor for praise, it would be the extraordinarily talented Sidse Babett Knudsen, who plays Helene, the wife of the wealthy business man. Ms. Knudsen turns in a nuanced and satisfying performance that is a pleasure to watch.

This exceptional film was appropriately nominated for an Oscar. It's certainly one of the best movies of 2006, and deserves wider distribution so that more people can see it.

Details

Official Sites:

Det Danske Filminstitut [Denmark] Equation [France]

Country:

Denmark Sweden UK Norway

Language:

Danish Swedish English Hindi

Release Date:

11 May 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

After the Wedding

Filming Locations:

Krystalgade, Copenhagen, Denmark

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,311, 1 April 2007

Gross USA:

$1,534,584

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,632,723

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zentropa Entertainments, After the Wedding, Sigma Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1