So, what is the best movie from your country? - I'm not sure Another Round qualifies, but it's certainly the best current film from Denmark. Directed by Thomas Vinterberg it's up for 2 Oscars this year (Best Foreign Film and Best Directing).
Vinterberg's best-known film would be The Celebration from 1998, which also won the Jury Prize at Cannes and was nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe. Together with Lars Von Trier (Dogville, Antichrist, Melancholia) he's our best-known director.
Another Round is best described as a dramedy about drinking. It centers around 4 middle-aged high school instructors who appear stuck in their lives and jobs. They get the idea to experiment with micro-dosing alcohol at the workplace. Under the excuse of an experiment, they try to keep their alcohol level at a steady .05 percent while teaching. Seduced by the fast results in performance and mood they quickly ramp up the experiment with inevitable consequences to follow. Soon they'll have to face themselves and their surroundings and this is where the friends will take different paths.
We have a special drinking culture in Denmark, especially drinking at institutions as high school and college are debated these years. Alcohol of course is a global subject though, which the film's large reach speaks to. It certainly made me think about alcohol and the impact it has on many aspects of life - the good and the bad. The intoxication, the euphoria, the downward spiral. Alcohol seems to amplify our best times and our worst, and the film comments on this in a beautiful way - soberly, but without judgment.
Another Round is starring Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe. If you have the chance I really think you should see it. If you already have seen it, I'd love to hear you thought on it.
