Mads Mikkelson leads us through the savage terrain of The Promised Land with a glimmer of hope in this epic Nordic tale with Western bones. Come watch this compelling historical saga with strong tragic undertones that explores the corners of the Old World.
Genre: action, biography, drama
Language: Danish, subtitles: English
In 1755 Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen has set himself the goal of making the untamed Danish heathland habitable in order to build a colony in the name of King Frederick V. In return, he expects a royal title with corresponding honor and wealth. However, Kahlen soon finds himself with an enemy. The ruthless landowner Frederik de Schinkel claims the land is already his. When De Schinkel discovers that two of his workers have escaped to join Kahlen, he vows revenge. Kahlen refuses to be intimidated and takes on the fight, risking both his own life and that of his emerging community.
In this widescreen spectacle, an adaptation of Ida Jessen's 2011 novel The Captain and Ann Barbara, super actor Mads Mikkelsen plays a steadfast, resourceful pioneer whose loyalty to the monarch is unwavering, but who thinks primarily of himself. Although the theme of civilization conquered on the wasteland is reminiscent of a Western, this film focuses on more complex class and gender intrigues. Civilization here is both a source of unbridled tyranny and an ideal that must be continually affirmed with individual ventures.
The Studium Generale Student Film Committee recommends this film because: “This is a film taking the time to portray a man determined to move up in the world and the consequences. Is it worth it? Mads Mikkelsen is great as usual!”
Awards
At the Venice Film Festival, the film won the SIGNIS Award and was nominated for the Golden Lion for Best Film.
Reviews
“An invigoratingly savage Nordic western, The Promised Land is earthy, enjoyable stuff: an expansive, sweeping epic with hope in its heart and dirt under its nails.” Screen Daily
“The Promised Land is visually splendid and utterly absorbing, a rags-to-riches/vengeance/love story packed with action and heartbreak.” Original-Cin
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos. Buying a ticket online in advance is mandatory if you want to attend this film. You can buy a ticket by clicking on the black “order” button on this page.
Please note: you can only buy a ticket online; tickets cannot be purchased with cash or bank card at the ticket counter.
For more general information about tickets, refund policies, etc., please click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film starts at 19:30 sharp (no pre-film advertisements) and the cinema hall opens at 19:10. We kindly ask you to be at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the film. This is to ensure the film starts and ends on time.
The Studium Generale film program is created in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab