Based on actual events, this exciting drama tells the story of World War II Danish Resistance fighters Flame (Thure Lindhardt) and Citron (Mads Mikkelsen). Taking orders from Resistance leader Aksel Winther (Peter Mygind), the two systematically assassinate Danish collaborators and Nazi officers. But they are far from heroic in their personal lives, and filmmaker Ole Christian Madsen explores the serious flaws of these complex men.
Cast: Thure Lindhardt, Mads Mikkelsen, Stine Stengade, Christian Berkel, Hanns Zischler, Peter Mygind, Rasmus Bjerg, David Bjergsø, Rasmus Botoft, Jesper Christensen
Director: Ole Christian Madsen [Prague]
Filming Locations: Berlin, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Prague, Czech Republic
My question to you: Is there a cause that you would kill for? How do you decide who must be go?
The film opens with black and white footage of the Germans taking over Copenhagen. An unnammed narrator asks the viewer, "Do you remember April 9, 1940?" This made me realize that he has such strong feelings towards this day. The narrator turn out the be Flame. With such a calm voice he makes the perfect narrator- a voice that is almost forgettable...a voice that is not intruding.
The viewer is first introduced to the Flame and Citron duo when Flam walks out to the car where Citron is asleep in the backseat. Citron then starts driving, sweat glistening his face. This is a remarkable scene. Flame appears to be confident whereas Citron is nervous. This instills in the viewer that Flame is more like the #1 man...he is the narrator and all.
Like: The script allows for the main characters to have a line that is noteworthy:
Flame: I forgot we're not killing people, but nazis.
Flame: The only thing that you can do is eliminate them. One by one. Down to the last one.
Ketty: It was fun in the beginning. But it's different now. Everything is grey. I think I just want to survive.
Dislike: The viwer was not able to get to know Citron until Flame was shot. The narration seems to dissapear for a while and Citron's story slowly emerges. Citron's relationship with his wife has deteriorated. She says to him, "You're just not that kind of man," explaining that they won't be a functional family. She says this to him the day he doesn't have the nerve to shoot and kill a woman, only graze her. From here on, Citron feels the need to prove himself. He is the perfect person to take over for Flame while he is out of commission. The look into Citron's life, even though exciting, was rather short.
Dislike: The relationship between Flame and Citron was never really fully developed. Even though the title suggests that they are inseperable, I felt as though I miss out on the foundation of their relationship. The last shot of the film could have been much more effective if their lives together had been explored more.
Budget: $7.4 million
Gross: $10.2 million (98.5% non-US)
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