Love + Hate Dominic Savage 2004 United Kingdom (1st time; big screen) A young Muslim girl and an English boy fall in love, despite racial tensions of the community. A schematic drama which fails to offer anything new. The usual Romeo and Juliet stuff which never rises above credibility.
Mój Nikifor My Nikifor Krzysztof Krauze 2004 Poland (1st time; big screen) A mentally and physically disabled artist forms a trusting bond with another painter, and is nurtured to national fame. A curious tale of a real-life painter who left behind more than 40,000 images; the painter, a male, is here played by a woman, and to poignant effect, as his lack of conscience provides first humour, and then a warming tale of two artists becoming friends through their mutual trade.
Lad de små børn Aftermath Paprika Steen 2004 Denmark (1st time; big screen) A couple struggle to come to terms with the loss of their child; while the wife, a welfare carer, takes an interest in a child abuse claim, the husband secretly tracks down his daughter's accidental killer. A sombre directorial debut of Denmark's most established actress brings out good performances, which are here wasted on characters and situations which never ring true.
Fjorton suger Fourteen Sucks Filippa Freijd, Martin Jern, Emil Larsson, Henrik Norrthon 2004 Sweden (1st time; big screen) A teenage girl desperate to fit in ends up making a fool of herself at a party, but she finds comfort in a skater who returns her interest. Music video theatrics make a post-Dogme, visually interesting film, shot in tones of summer oranges and yellows. But the script succumbs to the usual teen drama clichés: the portrayal of teenagers is one of stereotyped banality.
Mørke Murk Jannik Johansen 2005 Denmark (1st time; big screen) When his brain-damaged sister commits suicide on her wedding night, a journalist suspects the husband; he then finds that he is marrying again, and the bride-to-be is also disabled… A mystery with which the audience is never in doubt of its conclusion; the killer here, played by Nicolas Bro, has a certain likeable charm about him, and the sense of a close-knit community unappreciative of outsider's meddling brings back memories of The Wicker Man.
Kongkabale King's Game Nikolaj Arcel 2004 Denmark (1st time; big screen) When the favourite candidate for the next Prime Minister is injured in a car crash weeks before a General Election, a journalist uncovers political conspiracy and a power struggle within the government. A tense, engaging political thriller shot in moody blues and greys; the acting, visuals and script have a rare weight behind them, invoking memories of All the President's Men. It won eight Danish Oscars.
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