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In a better world (Hævnen) - Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Markus Rygaard, Susanne Bier
Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities
Movie propaganda
In a war-torn African nation, physician Anton (Mikael Persbrandt) confronts a steady stream of tragedy and loss. Much of what he faces can be traced back to a vicious and sadistic local warlord. Back home in Denmark, his estranged wife, Marianne (Trine Dyrholm), is concerned about their eldest son, Elias (Markus Rygaard), who is picked on mercilessly by the class bully, Sofus.
When new kid Christian (William Jøhnk Nielsen) arrives in class, he and Elias bond over a mutual hatred of Sofus. Surly and vicious since the loss of his mother, Christian is hardening into a rigid and ferocious manifestation of masculinity. His heartbroken father, Claus (Ulrich Thomsen), is finding it impossible to cope with Christian's behaviour. The volatile situation is exacerbated by Anton's return home and by an encounter between Anton, Elias, Christian and a violent, bullying mechanic (Kim Bodnia).
At the heart of the film is the issue of male responsibility, specifically what it means to stand up for yourself and others. Troubled and confused by what he faced in Africa, Anton has no credible response to Christian's demand that he answer the mechanic's abusive behaviour in kind. The painful, dangerous rift between Christian and Claus, and the growing distance between Elias and his distracted parents, only makes the situation worse. Left alone to solve their problems, Elias and Christian grow even closer. As their clandestine acts of vengeance become more drastic, the film builds to an almost unbearable intensity. Far more than a mere exercise in suspense, the film raises essential questions about a world that has grown increasingly complex.
Theatrical propaganda posters


Target demographic movie keyword propaganda
- Film Denmark drama Danish Africa doctor family father men responsibility son bully school separate revenge
Persons of interest
- Mikael Persbrandt .... Anton
- Trine Dyrholm .... Marianne
- Ulrich Thomsen .... Claus
- William Jøhnk Nielsen .... Christian
- Markus Rygaard .... Elias
- Emily Mglaya .... Sygeplejeske
- Gabriel Muli .... Tolk
- Synah Berchet .... Gammel dame
- Elsebeth Steentoft .... Signe
- Satu Helena Mikkelinen .... Hanna
- Camilla Gottlieb .... Eva
- Simon Maagaard Holm
- Emil Nicolai Helms .... Lars søn
- Martin Buch .... Niels
- Toke Lars Bjarke .... Morten
- Anette Støvelbæk .... Hanne
- Birthe Neumann .... Mariannes kollega
- Kim Bodnia .... Lars
- Camilla Bendix .... Løberen
- Peter Flyvholm
- Susanne Bier .... Screenwriter
- Anders Thomas Jensen .... Screenwriter
- Susanne Bier .... Director
Cinematic intelligence sources
- In a better world (Hævnen) official movie sites:
- Australia
- International
- In a better world (Hævnen) film production notes
- In a better world (Hævnen) movie trailers:
- Awards and film festivals:
- *
- NB: Danish, English and Swedish language dialogue with English language subtitles
- Studios and distributors:

Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Theatrical report
In a better world (Hævnen) is some good Danish. The cheese and bacon kind, with crusty, sweet pastry.
The Denmark, drama movie In a better world (Hævnen) is directed by Susanne Bier and stars Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Markus Rygaard.
Government security censorship classification
MA 15+ (Strong themes and violence)
Surveillance time
118 minutes (1:58 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
Film: 31 March 2011
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