The Day We Died

The beginning is perhaps a bit long-winded and confusing before the viewer gets into the plot, but I think this movie is definitely worth watching as it has something to say. Through the real-life story of four men, whose fates collide one day by chance, this movie points out the dismal state of contemporary multicultural society in a typically Scandinavian cold and matter-of-fact way. As a whole, this struck me as being sufficiently emphatic and really spot on. (70%) (07/07/2022)

The beginning of the film is marked by a dynamic mix of documentary shots of the bloody massacre of Charlie Hebdo magazine employees and shots of four men from different social backgrounds. After the introductory minutes, the impression of chaos changes into an intimate atmosphere as we follow these four characters inevitably heading towards a fateful collision. As the movie title suggests, it will be fatal for some of them. The thriller atmosphere is mainly created by the dark tones of the background music, which subtly (because it is muffled) affects the viewer's senses. However, Madsen's film cannot be seen as a classic thriller; it is rather a tribute to the victims of the attack that significantly influenced the social debate in the country and drew attention to immigrant ghettos, where a parallel society with different values from traditional Danish culture is spreading. Subsequently, there was a reassessment of the previous generous immigration policy. One indicative scene in this regard is when one of the film's protagonists exposes the hypocrisy of a friend who passionately defends multiculturalism but does not consider sending his own children to a state school with a high percentage of immigrant children, instead opting for an expensive ethnically pure private school. Overall impression: 75%. (01/20/2022)

The Charlie Hebdo attack was an event everyone heard about, even the most news-averse. What I didn't know was what happened in Copenhagen in the following months. However, after visiting Copenhagen and learning about the events there, including the situation in the self-proclaimed territory of Christiania, I wasn't shocked. It's as if Copenhagen has become a focal point for all existential problems, exacerbated by the Danish tendency to avoid addressing issues head-on. Unfortunately, the film's typically excellent Danish filmmaking was replaced here with something average — confusing, emotionless, and cold. It's unusual for Danish films, which makes it even more disappointing that such a significant topic wasn't handled better. A more compelling approach might have sparked more conversation. (02/12/2024)