Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!: Margrete den Første (2021) - Dyrholm commands in Sieling's plush historical drama

9/23/2021

Margrete den Første (2021) - Dyrholm commands in Sieling's plush historical drama

♥♥♥♥

+ Best Danish Movie of the Year + Best Historical Drama of the Year

The titular queen stands before a fiery conflict on this dramatic poster for Charlotte Sieling's Margrete den Første

Danish Queen Margrete has managed to unite the previously warring Nordic countries in 1402 and is preparing to strike another vital alliance with the British kingdom, when a man shows up, claiming to be her son and the rightful king.

Margrete den Første is written by Jesper Fink (Before the Frost/Før Frosten (2018)), Maya Ilsøe (Absalons Hemmelighed (2006, TV-series)) and co-writer/director Charlotte Sieling (Over Gaden Under Vandet (2009)). It is based on a true story.

An impressive production with sweeping production value, - especially the production design and costumes are commendable, - Margrete den Første succeeds in setting us in the very old times' very top of Scandinavian power with a naturalness that is pivotal in order for the exercise to come together.

Trine Dyrholm (Okay (2002)) is spot-on as the strong leader, whose mind is bent on peace and stability, but whose reign gets shaken to its core by the possibility that her long-deceased son may not have actually died but instead been held captive in Germany for 15 years. Jakob Oftebro (Tom of Finland (2017)) gives one of the most credibly tormented performances of recent memory as Oluf, who is at first rejected as a con artist. His performance makes it almost impossible not to believe that he is her son.

The film rests on this strange story of biological doubt. Morten Hee Andersen (Sygeplejeskolen (2018-19)) is forceful as Margrete's adopted son Erik, who gets furious at the possibility of a true heir rising to the throne. Søren Malling (The Man/Mesteren (2017)) is terrific as the leader of the church. Sieling lets silent moments take place, letting the actors' faces speak for them, which are some of the best moments in the film. It is an exciting, strange story in Margrete den Første, told with a calm seriousness.

2021 in films - according to Film Excess

Watch a short teaser for the film here

Cost: Reportedly 73 mil. DKK, approximately 11.51 mil. $

Box office: 1.025 mil. $ and counting

= Too early to say - but has very far to go to break even

[Margrete den Første premiered 21 August (Norwegian International Film Festival) and runs 120 minutes. 20 companies and foundations cooperated to finance and make the film, including Denmark's current Queen Margrete II and the late Prince Consort Henrik's foundation. These and others involved stepped in to support the film, when its filming was shut down due to China Virus, and the budget ballooned with 8.5 mil. DKK as a consequence. Shooting took place in the Czech Republic. The film has opened to 93k admissions in its first week's release in main production country Denmark, where it is also playing as part of Biografklub Danmark, meaning that many audiences only pay half prize for their tickets. The film is set to open in Sweden on 3 December. Sieling does not have her next project announced yet. Dyrholm returned in Forhøret (2019-21) and theatrically in Ingen Kender Dagen (2022). 119 IMDb users have given Margrete den Første a 7.1/10 average rating.]

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Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!

Eagerly anticipating this week ... (17-24)

9/23/2021

Margrete den Første (2021) - Dyrholm commands in Sieling's plush historical drama

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