Films
Only ASF Members may reserve tickets by calling 212.847.9746 or by emailing film_reservation@amscan.org.
Film Series
Borgen/The Government
Originally scheduled through Friday, December 7, 2012
Series now extended through Friday, December 14, 2012 (Still no screenings November 21 & 23, 2012)
Wednesdays @ 7 pm & Fridays @ 6:30 pm
$10 ($7 ASF Members); Series Pass: $80 ($56 ASF Members)
Borgen is an award-winning Danish drama series about the fight for political power – and about the personal sacrifices and consequences for everyone involved. Borgen (“the Castle”) is the nickname of Christiansborg Palace, which houses all three of Denmark's branches of government: the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court. The central figure of the series is the 40-year-old political leader Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen), who through her idealism and huge effort secures her party a landslide victory, becoming the new Danish Prime Minister, and thus faces the biggest challenge of her life: how most effectively to use the newly won seats, and how far she is willing to go in order to gain as much influence as possible. Privately, Birgitte leads a happy family life with her husband and two children. She is a woman with a burning commitment, a big heart, and little time. Will she be able to be a successful and professional top politician and stay true to herself at the same time?
Among the many important people in Birgitte Nyborg’s professional life is her media adviser, Kasper Juul (Pilou Asbæk), who is one of the most talented in the business. However, he is also a cynic with no illusions, who needs to start believing in the messages which is his job to impart.
Another significant character is Katrine Fønsmark (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen): a political journalist working for a large public service television station. Her screen charm and her ability to bring the debate to the viewers’ eye level have quickly earned her popularity and clout, but her personal life is rootless and confused.
Borgen has a large gallery of characters and deals with many different aspects in the political, the journalistic, and the private spheres.
2 seasons in series; each episode is 60 min. In Danish with English subtitles.
Episode 15: Plant a Tree/Plant et træ
Followed by Episode 16: Them and Us
November 28 & 30
Directed by Louise Friedberg (Denmark, 2011). Birgitte is about to negotiate the environmental element of the new reform package, but she must face the reality of parties unwilling to compromise. Meanwhile, Birgitte's children are clearly affected by their mother's stress.
Episode 16: Them and Us/Dem & oss
Follows Episode 15: Plant a Tree
November 28 & 30
Directed by Louise Friedberg (Denmark, 2011). Just as Birgitte's new government is getting back on track after the Green Party's exit, internal strife erupts among coalition partners. This time it's from the right, as a divisive bill is submitted to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years.
Episode 17: What is Lost Inwardly Must Be Gained Outwardly (Pt. 1)/Hvad indad tabes, skal udad vindes (Del I)
Followed by Episode 18: What is Lost Inwardly Must Be Gained Outwardly (Pt. 2)
December 5 & 7
Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard (Denmark, 2011). Just as polls indicate Birgitte may lose the next election, financier Joachim Crohne emerges with an idea that could save her political career. But can his motives be trusted?
Episode 18: What is Lost Inwardly Must Be Gained Outwardly (Pt. 2)/ Hvad indad tabes, skal udad vindes (Del II)
Follows Episode 17: What is Lost Inwardly Must Be Gained Outwardly (Pt. 1)
December 5 & 7
Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard (Denmark, 2011). The eyes of the world are on Copenhagen and Birgitte for peace between North and South Kharun. When Birgitte realizes Denmark is only a small piece in a major international power game, her negotiation skills are put to the test. Can she end the bloody civil war?
Episode 19: The Sanctity of Private Life/Privatlivets fred
Followed by Episode 20: An Extraordinary Remark
December 12 &14
Directed by Louise Friedberg (Denmark, 2011). Laura's illness has worsened over the past few months, and Birgitte now feels terrible about failing to recognize it. When Laura's psychiatrist suggests admitting her to a private psychiatric hospital, Birgitte and Phillip immediately agree.
Episode 20: An Extraordinary Remark/En bemærkning af særlig karakter
Follows Episode 19: The Sanctity of Private Life
December 12 &14
Directed by Louise Friedberg (Denmark, 2011). In the season II finale, Birgitte is on a month leave from her post as prime minister to focus on family and the Labor Party chairman has positioned himself to be her possible successor.
Special thanks to the Danish Broadcasting Corporation.
Nordic Oscar Contenders
January 2013
Films & ticket prices TBA
Catch an exclusive sneak peek of the films chosen by the Nordic countries to compete for the Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film for 2012, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Nominees will be announced by the Academy later this fall.
Special Film Screenings
Special Sunday Screening
Liv and Ingmar/Liv og Ingmar
Originally scheduled for Sunday, November 4, 4 pm
Status: Postponed
$15 ($10 ASF Members) – Seating is limited.
This screening and program with Liv Ullmann was regrettably cancelled. We hope to reschedule the screening for a later date. Once we have set a new date, we will be sure to post this information.
Directed by Dheeraj Akolkar (Norway, India, U.K., 2012). This feature documentary is an affectionate yet truthful account of the 42 years and 12 films-long relationship between legendary actress Liv Ullmann and master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman.
Told entirely from Liv Ullmann’s point of view, this rollercoaster journey of extreme highs and lows is constructed as a collage of images and sounds from the timeless Ullmann-Bergman films, behind the scenes footage, still photographs, passages from Ullmann’s book Changing and Ingmar’s love letters to her.
Ultimately this film is a homage – a candid, humane look – not only at two of the greatest artists of our time, but also at two wonderful human beings, two inseparable friends and soul mates.
Liv and Ingmar made its U.S. debut at the 50th New York Film Festival in October 2012.
83 min.
VIEW TRAILER
About Dheeraj Akolkar
After graduating with a Gold Medal in Architecture from Pune University, India, Dheeraj worked extensively in the Indian film industry on various films such as Lagaan (Academy Award Nominee, 2001), Devdas (Cannes Showcase, 2002; BAFTA nominated, 2003), Charas – A Joint Effort, Sala Bandar (official selection Rotterdam, 2004; nominated Best Short Film Edinburgh, 2004) and Black (Time magazine’s 5th Best Film of the Year, 2006).
As a writer, director, cinematographer, and producer, his own work includes the short films Jyotirgamaya – Lead Me To The Light (IDPA Awards for Excellence, 2005: Best Script and Best Editing), Whatever! (ICE 2006 2nd Best Film of the Festival), Sold my Soul (Official Selection Clermont Ferrand, 2007) and Asylum (Official Selection Rotterdam, 2010). He topped University of London in 2007 with distinction in MA in Feature Film and currently works between the U.K., India, and Scandinavia on a slate of five films under his London based production company Vardo Films. Akolkar is the associate director of an independent film festival in London called Bombay Mix and founder of a charity called Grassroots Stories,which specializes in making films that can inspire social change.
Smörgås Chef’s Dinner & a Movie
Ongoing, 5 – 10 pm (Last seating @ 9 pm)
$31 per person ($27 ASF Members)
Pairing top-notch Scandinavian cinema with fine Nordic cuisine, Smörgås Chef @ Scandinavia House continues its popular Dinner & a Movie prix-fixe 2-course dinner menu. Available from 5 to10 pm (the last seating is at 9 pm), this ongoing offer features a selection of favorite dishes including herb-roasted chicken, cured gravlaks and Swedish meatballs, and include one admission to that evening’s film screening.
For dinner reservations and more information, please call Smörgås Chef @ Scandinavia House at 212.847-9745 or visit www.smorgas.com.
All films are subtitled in English. Theater doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of the film.
Film screenings are held in Victor Borge Hall, named in honor of the legendary Danish entertainer and in recognition of his generosity to Scandinavia House.