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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

IN A BETTER WORLD sets out to explore the limitations we encounter in trying to control our society as well as our personal lives.

It asks whether our own "advanced" culture is the model for a better world, or whether the same disarray found in lawlessness is lurking beneath the surface of our civilization.

Are we immune to chaos, or obliviously teetering on the verge of disorder?

-Susanne Bier

In a Better World

Hævnen

SYNOPSIS

Anton is a doctor who commutes between his home in an idyllic town in Denmark, and his work at an African refugee camp. In these two very different worlds, he and his family are faced with conflicts that lead them to difficult choices between revenge and forgiveness.

Anton and his wife Marianne, who have two young sons, are separated and struggling with the possibility of divorce. Their older, ten-year-old son Elias is being bullied at school, until he is defended by Christian, a new boy who has just moved from London with his father, Claus. Christian's mother recently lost her battle with cancer, and Christian is greatly troubled by her death.

Elias and Christian quickly form a strong bond, but when Christian involves Elias in a dangerous act of revenge with potentially tragic consequences, their friendship is tested and lives are put in danger. Ultimately, it is their parents who are left to help them come to terms with the complexity of human emotions, pain and empathy.

Principal Cast: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Markus Rygaard, William Jøhnk Juel Nielsen
Producer: Sisse Graum Jørgensen
Cinematographer: Morten Søborg
Editor: Morten Egholm, Pernille Bech Christensen
Sound: Eddie Simonsen, Anne Jensen
Music: Johan Söderqvist
Production Designer: Peter Grant

Kenya Production Facilitated by PONTACT PRODUCTIONS

Canadian Distributor: Mongrel Media
International Sales Agent: Trust Nordisk
Production Company: Zentropa Entertainments16

Accolades

Best Foreign Language Feature Film at the 68th Golden Globe Awards.

Best Foreign Language Feature Film 2011 Acadmey Awards

Rome International Film Festival 2010:
Marc’Aurelio Audience Award for Best Film
Marc'Aurelio Grand Jury Award

Sevilla Festival de Cine 2010:
Best Director
Best Screenplay

Tallinn Tarta, Black Nights Film Festival 2010:
Best Male Actor

Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2010:
Creative Excellence Award