Member review

Festen which translated means "celebration" in Danish was the first movie done in the style of Dogme 95 it's simple style helps tell a story of shock and horror within the idyllic nature of the Danish upper class. The plot is Helge the owner of a Country Manor Hotel is celebrating his 60's birthday despite the death of his daughter Linda, everyone is there including his children Christian, Michael and Helene. Meanwhile that evening's dinner mood is changed when Christian's speech reveals a sinister side of Helge, after that the guests act as if there was a bomb outside they are shell shock into the denial of what they have heard. We spent the movie the guessing if what Christian is telling the truth, when it is through the suicide note of Linda's, the respect that the guests had for Helge is gone and the morning after he is treated like a leper and has to leave for the people to enjoy themselves. Even through Christian with his silent rage isn't just the main complex character, his younger brother Michael whose role model was his Father has tried to become just as successful only for him to be a bitter man whom has a complex relationship with his wife, he has affairs and is a bigot. Well Helene has no complex flaws she is the one who clearly knows her siblings best she finds a clue towards has the film's climax but the staff are given wonderful scenes they know of Helge's secret and because they have no care of losing their jobs when the truth is exposed. The staff are the best people to write a film about as they have the chance to find out all your dirty secrets, when you leave your room to clean they might be finding stuff to secretly mock you for treating them as if they have no feelings, which everyone who has been a waiter or a cleaner knows too well. Overall the film is know because of the style Dogme 95 which was about going against what Hollywood designs films to be, all the scenes were shot at the location, the screenplay has been written with the props existing and no music post-production. I would suggest that the film has to watched twice to fully understand but it's a good movie nonetheless.