Festen

Thomas Vinterberg's Festen is the first film made according to the Dogma 95 principles, a film association founded by Vinterberg himself, along with colleague Lars von Trier. This minimalist film style, with handheld cameras and natural lighting, enhances the raw emotions in this tale of family secrets and betrayal. 

During a party celebrating the father of the house's 60th birthday, his son reveals a shocking secret that completely collapses the facade of a seemingly perfect family. Festen won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival and is still considered a masterpiece within modern cinema. With intense acting and a haunting atmosphere, this film is an emotional rollercoaster that confronts the viewer with themes of shame, guilt and forgiveness.

Both director Thomas Vinterberg and actress Trine Dyrholm (who plays Pia in Festen) will be present at the Northern Film Festival. During the festival more films by both the director and the actress will be shown, as part of the Spotlight Retrospective around NFF guest of honour Trine Dyrholm.