Cinema of Denmark

Danish Cinema Throughout the Years

The history of Danish cinema is extensive. Denmark has been producing films since 1897 and has maintained steady product sales since the 1980s. This is mainly because of funding by the state-supported Danish Film Institute. Throughout history, Danish films have been famous for their realism, religious and moral themes, sexual openness and technical creativity. Nordisk Film, one of the oldest film companies in the world, is Danish and has produced a long line of Danish films. These films have been produced in the same studios since 1906.

Currently, new production companies are rapidly increasing. Zentropa Film (‘Dancer in the Dark’ – Lars von Trier’s Golden Palm-winner) and Nimbus Film (‘The Celebration’ and ‘Mifune’s Last Song’) are currently two of the most well-known production companies in Denmark. Significant Danish filmmakers include Benjamin Christensen, Carl Th. Dreyer, Erik Balling, Gabriel Axel, Bille August, Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, Anders Thomas Jensen and Susanne Bier.

The Beginning of Danish Cinema

A Danish photographer named Peter Elfect was the first Dane to make a film. He is now considered an important and respected Danish cinema pioneer. Elfecte produced roughly 200 documentary films about life in Denmark between 1896 and 1912. His first film was Kørsel med Grønlandske Hunde (Traveling with Greenlandic Dogs).

Additionally, he produced the first Danish feature film called Henrettelsen (Capital Execution, 1903). In June of 1896, the first film show in Denmark occurred in the Panorama cinema in Copenhagen. Although this occurred in Denmark, all of the films had been made and produced out of the country.

Modern Danish Cinema

In 2008, Danish films sold over 4 million tickets at the Danish box office. This was the highest grossing number since 1981, but did not last long. In the first five months of 2009, Danish films had the lowest ticket-sales since 2005.

Despite these low numbers, Danish cinema is still very respected worldwide. Danish films (that are almost social realist dramas, social realist comedies, children’s films or documentaries) are given numerous awards at major international film festivals.

Movie Theaters in Denmark

Going to a movie theater in Denmark is unlike going to one in the US or UK for a few reasons. Foreigners are frequently surprised when going to a Danish theater for the first time and finding assigned seats in the movie theater. When one purchases a ticket, this reserves them a specific seat within the theater.

Another way Danish theaters are unique is that there are typically large confectionary (also known as candy) stores in the theaters, themselves. One is able to go to these stores and purchase candy or “slik” as it is called in Denmark. There are not always concession stands in the theaters, which allows moviegoers to purchase snacks in these small stores. It is also legal in Denmark to buy beer or wine and bring it into the theater (which is strictly prohibited in the US).