THE PROMISED LAND/ BASTARDEN, Denmark, 2023. Starring Mads Mikkelson, Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg, Melina Hagberg, Kristine Kujath Thorp. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel. 127 minutes, Rated MA (Strong violence and coarse language)
A recommendation for audiences who enjoy re-creations of history. We are taken back to 1755, Denmark, and out into the barren heaths of Jutland (the territory, 100 years later, for Babette’s Feast). The title is one of hope; the story of a veteran Danish soldier, Ludvig Kahlen (Mikkelson), who served in Germany for 25 years. Kahlen, the illegitimate son of a landlord who offloaded him to the military, has now returned and wants permission to cultivate the barren land in a movement supported by the king who wants to develop this neglected area with settlers and commerce, but not backed enthusiastically by his counsel.
Which means that this is the dramatic struggle of a determined individual to work against all odds. Kahlen has a vision of success and hopes for royal acknowledgement and nobility status. But we realise that this will entail a steadfast determination, struggles with the land, with the climate, with the need for financial and co-working assistance. And, that is what we are given, and more.
The cinematography of the landscapes contrasting with the courts, the lavish mansion of the local landowner, enhances the atmosphere. And the performances are strong. Mikkelson has proven himself in Danish cinema as well as internationally. This is one of his best performances. He has worked with the director Arcel previously – A Royal Wedding (2012), a drama set a decade later than this film but focusing on Denmark’s royal family. (The screenplay was written by Anders Thomas Jensen who has collaborated with Arcel and Mikkelson in several projects including the striking Riders of Justice.)
While the development of a promised land as the focus, the human stories interwoven are compelling. On the dramatic, evil side, there is the manic, narcissistic and exploitative landowner, de Schinkel (Bennebjerg, absolutely convincing as a brutally insane predator), his cousin, Edel (Thorp), attracted to Kahlen and key to a violent resolution, and a runaway servant, Anne, who with her husband, works with Kahlen, an arrangement which has violent consequences as well.
There are local outlaws who work for a time but then are frightened off, German settlers, and especially a dark-complexioned young girl, a ‘darkling’ whom the Germans fear is a bad omen, Anmai Mus (Hagberg). Mus, in her only role thus far, brings a cheeky and challenging presence but also a deeply humanising perspective to the drama.
The English title focuses on the land. The Danish title focuses on Kahlen but cannot be used in English because of its derogatory overtones – but the director has commented ‘in Danish, the bastard only means illegitimate son or illegitimate child. It actually doesn’t mean anything sort of other negative than that’. An immersion in Danish history.
Rialto
Released 20 June 2024