77 Exceptional Danish Films – Bodil Awards

A difficult relationship between two sisters is further tested when a strange new planet appears on a collision course with Earth.

As the war nears its end, the Danish resistance intensifies its efforts. One night, an injured British agent lands by plane and is sheltered by local resistance members. Together, they plot operations against the Germans, but a traitor is suspected…

Set in the 1930s, the film follows Peter Hasvig as he becomes drawn to Vera Bagge, a girl from a wealthier background. Around the same time, Peter ends his relationship with Ellen. A trip to Sweden reveals that Vera is…

Steffen is a young man recently graduated from school and searching for a job. He lives with his widowed mother, who is a newspaper reporter. He handles most situations with ease, including his girlfriend's jealousy over his friendship with Charly,…

Summer in Copenhagen brings endless days and nights of carefree living. Simon, a 23-year-old medical student, spends his time partying with friends, enjoying casual relationships, and repeating the cycle day after day. However, this period of youthful freedom is also…

Emma (Line Kruse) is an eleven-year-old only child growing up in a privileged Danish household. Her parents are often preoccupied with their own lives and neglect her. After overhearing her mother lamenting the tragedy of a child kidnapping, Emma decides…

Eight-year-old Ivan is constantly bullied at school and feels deeply alone. His father often mocks him for being weak, a situation that fuels Ivan's frequent daydreams. He finds an unexpected connection with Ole, a friendly and lonely crane operator who…

After serving a sixteen-year prison sentence for his wife's death, a man attempts to build a new life and finds solace only among Turkish immigrants. He also grapples with the daughter who harbors deep resentment towards him. Denmark's nominee for…

A solitary woman opens her door to a stranger seeking shelter from the rain. She offers him a place to stay, and he extends his visit for days. Slowly, she finds herself developing feelings for him.

What would you risk for the ones you love? Christian faces this question when he's smuggled into Syria, desperately searching for his son Adam. He embarks on a dangerous and emotionally challenging journey into a war-torn land. As he goes,…

A kind soldier, skilled in combat, falls for a captivating woman carrying emotional scars.

Fleeing a dangerous mob, a woman finds refuge in a quiet Colorado town. She's offered work in exchange for sanctuary, but when a search party arrives, she discovers the community's kindness comes with a hidden cost.

Anne is a highly skilled lawyer who dedicates her career to helping children and young adults. She seems to have a perfect life with her doctor husband, Peter, and their twin daughters. However, when her teenage stepson, Gustav, comes to…

On April 9th, 1940, the crew of a Danish merchant vessel learns of Germany's invasion of Denmark. They choose to sail to England instead of returning home, embarking on a difficult five-year journey.

Sascha, a young woman considered a prize by a Danish drug lord, joins him on vacation at his villa in Bodrum, Turkey. She's embraced by his close associates and enjoys a life of luxury and leisure under the summer sun.…

A young woman develops feelings for her teacher, leading to emotional turmoil and unexpected difficulties. She grapples with these challenges and fights to overcome a period of despair.

A seemingly perfect family celebrates their successful father's milestone birthday with an extravagant party. But amidst the celebration, the eldest son reveals a surprising secret that disrupts the festivities. The family's carefully constructed image of prosperity begins to fall apart…

Rune, powerfully portrayed by Pilou Asbæk, is a young man serving time for a violent crime. He's transferred to the prison's toughest ward and must quickly navigate its complex system of rules, loyalty, and expectations to survive. Rune also goes…

Harry (Helmuth), a kind-hearted shop porter, unexpectedly inherits money from a distant relative. He decides to hire a butler to manage his affairs. The butler is highly experienced in upper-class service, yet possesses a warm personality that blends well with…

Following a difficult encounter with tax officials, Alex Alexander drives into the countryside to relax. He accidentally collides with an elephant escaping from a circus. When police arrive, his story is dismissed as delusion, and he's committed to a mental…

Denmark, 1755. Captain Ludvig Kahlen journeys to a harsh, seemingly barren heath with an ambitious, nearly impossible mission: to found a colony for the king, promising a royal title in return. His relentless pursuit of this goal will be met…

Ingen tid til Kaertegn (Be Dear to Me) centers on 8-year-old Eva Cohn, whose appeal carries the film. The neglected daughter of a businessman father and actress mother, Eva seeks happiness beyond her home. Her parents gradually realize the extent…

A young man from the countryside travels to Copenhagen seeking work. He becomes involved with a gang who exploit him, using him to trick older gay men into giving them money through robbery and blackmail.

In her early 40s, Kirsten divorces and relocates with her son to her parents' house in Hjørring. There, she develops a relationship with a German officer, disregarding the disapproval and prejudice it brings. As the war progresses, the chances of…

"Ang.: Lone" is a social realist film about a rebellious 16-year-old girl named Lone. Troubled and emotionally confused, Lone runs away from a girls' home in Jutland to her foster parents' house, where she quickly experiences conflict. She then travels…

Twelve-year-old Lasse is a strong-willed and intelligent boy. His life is upended when his mother, who is pregnant, leaves his father. She takes Lasse to live with her new boyfriend, a strict dentist, a stark contrast to Lasse’s easygoing butcher…

Morten Arnfred adapted his working-class coming-of-age novel into a film that aims to recreate the atmosphere, emotional impact, and sense of community of 1950s Copenhagen. The story centers on Johnny, a young man navigating the complexities of adolescence. The film…

Henriette, a 30-year-old nurse, navigates the ups and downs of daily life. Her relationship with her unexciting boyfriend is strained, leading her to an affair with a volatile doctor. She lives with a gay roommate and maintains a close bond…

A family spanning three generations comes together for a weekend. Sisters Sanne and Heidi have agreed to their terminally ill mother's wish to end her life before her condition worsens. However, as the weekend unfolds, the sisters struggle more and…

Four uninspired high school teachers embark on an experiment: they believe that staying perpetually tipsy will make their lives better.

Robert Hansen, a 34-year-old police officer in Copenhagen, is unexpectedly reassigned to Skarrild, a small town in Southern Jutland, as a substitute marshal. This new position offers Robert a chance to begin anew. His future back in Copenhagen hinges entirely…

Per is a small-time thief who escapes capture, but his criminal bosses quickly turn their backs on him. Driven by a desire for revenge, he targets their girlfriends, but his plans unravel at every turn.

Ulrik Torp begins a new career as a political journalist at a major newspaper and quickly finds himself caught in a fierce power play within the Midparty. This turmoil unfolds around the party's popular leader, who is involved in a…

Egon, a young man from Jutland staying with relatives in Copenhagen, falls in love with the practical Ruth. However, Egon is connected to a group of criminals. After they assault someone in a bar, the police arrest them. Egon is…

A seemingly unremarkable small gray book originates in sexually liberal Paris. Its appearance is unassuming, but appearances are deceiving. Wherever the book ends up, something significant occurs. And it inevitably finds its way into the hands of others.

Cecilie and Joachim are on the verge of marriage when a sudden car accident leaves Joachim with a disability, drastically changing their future. The other driver, Marie, and her family also face consequences. Marie’s husband, Niels, who works at the…

After a Danish freighter is seized by Somali pirates demanding ransom, weeks of intense negotiations ensue, raising the risk of violent conflict.

Retired detective Fisher returns to the force for one final case: a series of brutal murders of young girls with no answers. He partners with crime writer Osbourne, using a risky method – trying to understand the killer's thoughts –…

After World War II, an optimistic young American begins a new life as a train conductor for the railway system in Frankfurt, which is under US control. His hopeful start quickly becomes complicated as he deals with the dangerous political…

In the summer, Stenvig, a small market town, becomes a haven for city dwellers seeking leisure and income. Romance blossoms amidst a lively atmosphere, and Susanne, the baker's daughter, is the object of many young men's affections. However, when one…

Knud is a farmer who wants to run the farm with his wife. He's full of plans and determination, but their financial situation isn't ideal.

A young man experiences the joys of love and building a life together with his new wife. However, when his wife unexpectedly struggles with severe depression, they are both faced with difficult choices about their future.

This film feels like a realistic story from modern-day Denmark. It's a typical, bleak Tuesday morning – stormy, slushy, and freezing. Two young women are cycling to work when they make a disturbing discovery: they find a dead man sitting…

In early 1900s Europe, Gertrud, surrounded by artists and musicians, relentlessly seeks perfect love. She leaves her husband for a promising young pianist, but finds no lasting connection. Later, a surprising reunion with a former lover sparks nostalgia and hope.…

Laura, a young author living a bohemian life in Copenhagen, has deliberately kept her distance from her family in the countryside. Reluctantly returning home for her brother's wedding, she discovers he's marrying Catrine, her childhood rival. Laura also learns that…

In a quiet Scottish village, a woman's predictable life changes when her husband proposes a risky plan. He is paralyzed and feels isolated, so he convinces his wife to have an affair, hoping she will describe her experiences to him.…

In early 1970s South Jutland, 11-year-old Allan faces a difficult life. His father struggles with mental instability and frequently threatens suicide, while his mother is emotionally withdrawn. Allan feels responsible for holding the family together. When a competing family endangers…

Carl-Henning (Jasper Klein) works as an apprentice on a dairy farm in the Danish marsh. In his free time, he repairs a broken-down car and longs for a local girl who is a student. After drinking too much, he steals…

In rural Denmark, this film explores the complicated relationships within farmer Morten's family. His three sons – Anders, Mikkel, and Johannes – hold very different religious views. Anders is deeply faithful like his father, Mikkel questions his faith, and Johannes…

Frede Hansen, a game salesman, is mistaken for a Secret Service agent and kidnapped by enemy agents on a ferry. After escaping, he's recruited by the Secret Service to lure out the enemy, with their top agent, Smith, assigned as…

In late 19th-century Denmark, this moving film tells the story of Lasse Karlsson and his son Pelle, who travel to the island of Bornholm seeking farm work. Driven by hopes of a better life in America, the hardworking pair strive…

In early 1990s Denmark, with 300,000 people unemployed, Viggo, a machinist with two adult children, keeps his emotions hidden. Worried about his job, he strongly supports trade unions, enjoys his fish, and often argues at the dinner table. His wife…

Six-thirty-something friends gather for a weekend at Knud and Beth's house, where the couple frequently argue. The other guests – Jan and Ilse, and Kjeld and Tove – are used to their bickering and try to avoid getting involved. But…

During the Christmas holidays, Mette and her father are left alone together. He begins to feel increasingly unwanted and jealous as his teenage daughter starts seeking out romantic interests.

The film follows a boy through three distinct periods of his life: as a child hosting a visiting cousin, as a lovesick high school student, and as a young man attempting a romantic encounter with a nurse.

Hans, a young advertising executive, and his dentist wife Grete have a good income but pay high taxes. They decide getting divorced would save them money, and their lawyer friend Georg reluctantly agrees to handle the divorce. Though legally divorced,…

A group of upper elementary students navigate the complexities of their relationships, engaging in subtle manipulations and seeking glimpses of adult experiences, all captured with a realistic, documentary-like approach.

On a train, a dancer and a Danish student connect. She's traveling to Rio for a tour, and he impulsively decides to join her. Based on the novel by Jens August Schade.

A couple struggling with grief and marital problems seeks solace in their secluded cabin, "Eden," deep in the woods. Hoping to heal and reconnect, they find their situation escalating as nature unleashes unforeseen challenges.

Karl Åge and Regitze throw a summer garden party for family and friends. Karl Åge is reserved, while Regitze is vibrant and full of life. He reflects on their beginnings: a wartime romance, living together without marriage, and her mother's…

In snowy Christiania, around 1890, Pontus, a writer struggling with poverty, searches for love and a chance to publish his work. His life is marked by setbacks and hardship that test his sanity. He experiences highs and lows, but always…

The sudden death of their son throws Egon and Maren's family into deep sorrow, impacting their daughter Lily as well. The three grapple with grief in distinct ways, leading to growing distance between them. The film follows their struggle to…

Based on the true story from Flemming B. Muus' novel "Der kom en dag" (The Day Came), the film recounts the events of April 9, 1940, when Denmark surrendered to an invading army that violated treaties and occupied the nation.…

Lau Lauritzen is an ordinary architect with a wife and son. He's accused of killing a 10-year-old girl, and everyone assumes he's guilty. His wife and uncle struggle to believe his innocence, but they don't say so to his face.

Kaj, a proud and stubborn ex-chef living in a council flat, feels he's wasted his life. He's currently on a job training program for the long-term unemployed and bristles at being told what to do by his foreman. His life…

After Germany's surrender in May 1945, a group of young German prisoners of war are transferred to Denmark and then sent to the West Coast. There, they are tasked with clearing over two million German landmines from the beaches. Under…

This intimate film follows two people whose lives change when they meet at a turning point. Niller, a talented but socially awkward kitchen installer, is hired by Sus to install a new kitchen. Both are in relationships, but they feel…

A college professor gives up his family and job to defend his mistress, a student activist accused of murdering a police officer.

Kira and Mads attempt to rebuild their marriage following Kira's two-year stay in a mental institution. The film explores whether Kira is truly prepared to reintegrate into everyday life.

Charlotte, 32, has everything she should want, but isn't satisfied. After breaking up with her boyfriend and moving, she becomes neighbors with Veronica, a transgender woman who keeps mostly to herself with her dog and her television. Charlotte spends her…

This offbeat film follows a group of ordinary people in a provincial town as they navigate life's key moments: a baptism, a funeral, and a wedding. At the heart of these events are a woman yearning for more, a young…

This film follows the daily lives of three sex workers in Copenhagen. Sunny, 22, is drawn into the profession by a friend seeking quick money. Doris, a luxury escort, yearns for genuine love. And Connie uses alcohol to numb her…

Two men vanish simultaneously. One is found dead, having died by suicide using dynamite. The police are left to determine the fate of the other man and uncover the circumstances surrounding their joint disappearance.

A solitary teacher battles for custody of his son. His life begins to improve with the arrival of love and encouraging news from his son, but this newfound happiness is threatened when a simple untruthderails everything.

Jeppe, a down-and-out laborer with a fondness for brandy, stumbles drunk into a field. A passing baron sees an opportunity for a prank. The baron's men carry the unconscious Jeppe to the castle, dress him in the baron’s clothes, and…

During a harsh winter in a working-class community, the lives of two brothers are explored – their daily routines, familiar habits, and established rituals. Their world is disrupted by a violent feud that ignites with another family.

Three friends, Steffen, Thomas, and Mogens, frequently gather at Julie's apartment to discuss soccer and saving for tickets to an upcoming game. Meanwhile, Julie attempts to reach her boyfriend René, suspecting infidelity. Throughout the week, they openly share their thoughts…