2015 ( Denmark | Germany ) ( Drama, History, War )
( German / Danish with English subtitles )
DIRECTOR: Martin Zandvliet
STARRING: Roland Møller, Louis Hofmann, Joel Basman
Land Of Mine is an Oscar-nominated Danish drama that throws light on an unfamiliar aspect of the Second World War. It is set in Denmark in 1945. The defeated German occupiers have retreated but have left a cruel parting gift – the beaches of the west coast of Denmark are studded with more than a million landmines. The British and Danish come up with a plan: use German prisoners of war, many of them teenage boys, to clear the beaches.
This oppressively tense drama follows one squad of callow, terrified soldiers who are commanded by Carl Rasmussen (Roland Møller), who is a burly, gung-ho officer. Carl gradually sets aside a relish for punishment as he rediscovers a sense of humanity and concern for others. This is the theme that lies at the heart of a thoughtful, poignant story that deservedly won Møller the Danish equivalent of the Bafta best actor prize.
(1hr 40min)