Bænken (2000)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Per Fly

Writers:

Kim Leona (screenplay) &
Per Fly (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

1990s | Alcoholic | Alcoholism | Based On Article | Class Differences

Awards:

11 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Jesper Christensen	...	Kaj
Marius Sonne Janischefska	...	Jonas
Stine Holm Joensen	...	Liv
Nicolaj Kopernikus	...	Stig
Jens Albinus	...	Kim
Sarah Boberg	...	Connie (as Sarah Kjærgaard Boberg)
Benjamin Boe Rasmussen	...	Bo
Lars Brygmann	...	Lars
Lars Ranthe	...	Kaptajnen
Holger Perfort	...	Hr. Nandrup
Britta Lillesøe	...	Lis
John Martinus	...	Toiletpasser
Petrine Agger	...	Sygeplejerske
Ann Kristine Schmidt	...	Receptionist
Anette Støvelbæk	...	Kims Nabo

Also Known As:

Bänken (Sweden)
The Bench (International: English title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

Denmark | Sweden

Language:

Danish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Denmark:15 | Norway:15 | Sweden:11 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Avedøre Stationsby, Hvidovre, Denmark

Company:

Zentropa Entertainments

Trivia:

Director Per Fly originally came up with the idea of making the film after reading an article by the leader of charity organization Kirkens Korshær about poverty and social problems in Denmark. As part of his later research he intensely followed the work of a social counselor for some time. He based the film's characters on the people he saw and met during that period.

Goofs:

Continuity: Kaj's name on the letterbox reappears after he has destroyed it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bodilfesten 2001 (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Mariehønen Evigglad

Excellent drama about forgiveness and more

Brilliant movie. Jesper Christensen puts his soul into this part as Kaj, who drinks so much, he's dying. Suddenly his daughter appears, who he has not seen since she was about 4 years, so she can't recognize him. She has a son now, and a violent husband. Kaj just hangs out with the locals on a bench, drinking beers and stronger stuff. He's sunken so low, he's negative towards everything and everybody. But now, where he has a grandson, he wants to pull himself up - to live again. But is it too late? It's so great to watch the similar reality these actors/actresses has put in their roles. Jesper Christensen really deserves some important awards for this part. I also enjoyed Halfdan E.'s score very much.