Kino immer anders
Helge Klingenfeldt-Hansen, a wealthy businessman and family patriarch, celebrates his 60th birthday. His three children are the first to arrive at his grand mansion, where everything has been arranged for the annual occasion. Gradually, more guests trickle in, exchanging handshakes, kisses, and the inevitable round of birthday songs. But quickly, it becomes clear that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface of this cheerful reunion. When the eldest son unveils a long-buried family secret, the celebration descends into chaos, shattering the fragile facade of familial civility.
Festen is a masterpiece of distinctly Danish provocation. As the inaugural film of the now-mythologized “Dogme 95” movement, the film thrives on subverting cinematic conventions. Shot entirely with a low-quality handheld camera, Festen creates a uniquely raw aesthetic, accentuated with formal experimentation throughout. The result is a visceral and unforgettable viewing experience. This radical formal approach mirrors the film’s narrative audacity, as it tackles taboo subjects with unflinching honesty. Festen violently dismantles the romanticized ideal of the family, challenging the viewers to confront the hidden truths within their own families.
Christoph Bärtsch
Content notes: incest, abuse
