The 5^th Annual Danish Film Festival announces dates and lineup

Atlanta, GA – November 13, 2009 – The Danish-American Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the 5^th Annual Danish Film Festival will take place January 22 through January 30, 2010 at the Atlanta High Museum of Art in midtown. Co-sponsored by the Danish Film Institute and the High Museum, the festival features four of Denmark’s most critically-acclaimed movies, including a potential 2009 Oscar contender.

“With an impressive lineup that tells a wide-range of compelling stories, there’s something for everyone at this year’s Danish Film Festival,” said Gitte Hagensen, head of Art and Culture Committee, Danish American Chamber of Commerce, “But the festival represents more than just excellent filmmaking. It’s an opportunity for the Danish community in Atlanta to come together and celebrate our culture.”

The following is listing of the four featured films. Complete details are available at www.danishfilmfestival.com.

Fear Me Not

Friday, January 22 at 8 p.m.

Struggling with symptoms of vague distraction and unease, Mikael, a middle-aged married man, agrees to participate in a clinical trial for a new anti-depressant drug. The results are miraculous, leaving him feeling unburdened and rejuvenated. But when the trial is suddenly called off for unforseen side-effects, Mikael hordes his pills and continues self-medicating. Insidious changes begin to surface and soon the upstanding citizen is hiding out in his country house, scheming how to move on with his life, and discovering the undomesticated animal within.

Flame and Citron

Saturday, January 23 at 8 p.m.

Denmark’s heroic resistance to German occupation during WWII is the basis for this taut, finely acted drama about the historical figures code-named Flame and Citron, a duo who gunned down Nazis and their Danish collaborators for the Underground. Red-haired, fresh-faced, and fearless Flame (the charismatic Thure Lindhardt) is young and foolish enough to fall for a beautiful woman who may be a double agent. His partner, the glowering Citron (superstar Mads Mikkelson), is a bundle of nerves, bereft over his lost marriage and more comfortable behind the wheel than making a hit. Together, they are essentially contract killers, and though their cause is noble, they become less so every time they pull a trigger.

Take the Trash

Friday, January 29 at 8 p.m.

Jesper is a successful IT salesman. With a beautiful wife and a lovely home, his picture perfect life seems complete. Until one day when his arrogance hits him like a boomerang, and he loses everything overnight. Jesper is sentenced to community service at a recycling dump with people he thinks are lowlifes. As Jesper gets used to his hands getting dirty, he meets a girl and realizes that this simpler life is more meaningful than expected. But when the dump is threatened to be shut down, Jesper has to fight a greater cause to help his new-found friends.

Terribly Happy

Saturday, January 30 at 8 p.m.

Considered a potential 2009 Oscar nominee in the foreign language film category, Terribly Happy is the story of Copenhagen cop Robert Hanson who, following a nervous breakdown, is transferred to a new post as the marshal of South Jutland, a small town that might as well be Twin Peaks. Awash in an ominous atmosphere and bordered by a bog that seems made to suck up troublesome evidence, Hanson's new home is populated by townspeople whose bizarre behavior leaves him baffled and alienated. Soon he's bedding a married femme fatale and spiraling down into a vortex of rumor, suspicion, and murder.

All of the movies are in Danish with English subtitles and each will be shown at the High Museum’s Rich Theatre. Tickets are available at Woodruff Arts Center website (www.woodruffcenter.org), the box office located at 1280 Peachtree Street and by phone at 404.733-5000. Phone orders incur an additional fee. Tickets are $7.00 for general admission and $6.00 for students, seniors, DACC members and museum employees.

About the Danish-American Chamber of Commerce

The Danish-American Chamber of Commerce (DACC) is the primary independent organization supporting and promoting successful development of the Danish-American community in the US. Its mission is to expand members’ business and social network via business, cultural and social events, which are open to existing and potential Danish and American business and social members, sponsors, related parties and stakeholders. DACC provides services for and shares knowledge with parties interested in Danish relations and provides opportunities to learn about the Danish culture. The organization supports the Danish American community in the Southeast USA with a primary focus on Georgia and surrounding areas.