The Celebration [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Thomas Vinterberg Thomas Vinterberg

Overview

This Danish comedy drama won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. It opens in rural Denmark as family members assemble for the 60th birthday celebration of patriarch Helge (Henning Moritzen). At the family estate are Helge's children: France-based restaurateur Christian (Ulrich Thomsen), whose twin sister killed herself; surviving sister Helene (Paprika Steen); and younger brother Michael (Thomas Bo Larsen), married with three children. At the birthday dinner, the bitter Christian stands to deliver a toast -- but instead makes a startling speech accusing Helge of sexual abuse involving both twins. Following principles outlined in 1995 by Danish fimmakers in their Dogme 95 proclamation, this film adheres to their manifesto guidelines of handheld cameras, direct sound, location filming, and the elimination of technical tricks.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/11/2022
UPC:	0715515267311
Original Release:	1998
Source:	Criterion Collection
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:45:00
Sales rank:	8,915

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ulrich Thomsen	Christian,Actor
Henning Moritzen	Helge
Birthe Neumann	Elsa
Thomas Bo Larsen	Michael
Paprika Steen	Helene
Trine Dyrholm	Pia
Helle Dolleris	Mette
Bjarne Henriksen	Kim
Gbatokai Dakinah	Gbatokai
Therese Glahn	Michelle
Klaus Bondam	Master of Ceremonies
Lasse Lunderskov	Uncle
Lars Brygmann	Receptionist
Lene Laub Oksen	Sister
Linda Laursen	Birthe
John Boas	Grandad,Grandma
Thomas Vinterberg	Taxi Driver
Bent Henningsen	Actor
Poul Kajbaek	Actor
Vibeke Dalset	Actor
Anette Jakobsen	Actor,Actor
Poul Peterson	Actor
Gulli Sejrsen	Actor
Vibeke Kaiser	Actor,Actor
John Johnsen	Actor
Dan Ellertsen	Actor
Soren Sogreni	Actor
Kate Goldschmidt	Actor
Jens Norring	Actor
Maria Myrgard	Actor
Peter Krag	Actor
Stig Poul Hansen	Actor
Kaj Rasmussen	Man in the Kitchen
Robert Strandgard	Man in the Kitchen
Gry Worre Hallberg	Woman in the Kitchen
Rene	Man in the Kitchen
Christine Louise Jorgensen	Child,Child
Dorte Olofsen	Child,Child
Emilian Sejersen	Child
Susanne Funck	Child
Lasse Jacobsen	Child,Child
Sigrid Aalbaek	Child

Technical Credits

Thomas Vinterberg

Mogens Rukov

Thomas Vinterberg	Director,Screenwriter
Bo Ehrhardt	Executive Producer
Birgitte Hald	Executive Producer,Producer,Producer
Mogens Rukov	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Made according to the principles of the Danish Dogme 95 film movement, designed to free filmmaking from glossy clichés, Thomas Vinterberg's The Celebration (1998) turns Dogme's technical limits into a stylistic vehicle for a family gathering that takes an unexpected turn. Following Dogme's vows of cinematic purity, Vinterberg shot on location using only hand-held cameras and natural light and sound, creating an intimate atmosphere throughout the long night of the party. With video cameras that are less obtrusive than film cameras might have been, Vinterberg zeroes in on private moments of emotional revelation, as well as the public pronouncements of incest, allowing the sterling cast of actors to play out a complex range of feelings. Veering from black comedy to family tragedy, from sexual farce to restrained drama, the film uses mobile shots and jarring edits to keep the viewer as off-balance as the partygoers. Though the tight screenplay structure harks back to the styles of Ingmar Bergman, Jean Renoir, and Luis Buñuel, the deceptively low-tech, shock-cut visuals move The Celebration beyond art-cinema homage. Winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, among other festival and critics' prizes, The Celebration became Dogme 95's first international arthouse success.

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola