It's a settler drama set from 1755 to 1764 in the Jutland moorland of Denmark. Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) is a Danish native who served 25 years in the German army. He has returned to Denmark and seeks royal permission to establish an agricultural settlement on the Jutland moorland, something long desired by King Fredrick V. The Royal Court reluctantly permits him to do so. Still, he soon conflicts with Frederik Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg), a wealthy, somewhat deranged wanna-be noble and landowner of property adjoining Kahlen's heath. Schinkel wants to marry his cousin, Edel Helene (Kristine Kujath Thorp), to confirm his nobility.
Because of the conflicts with Schinkel, Kahlen seeks the help of a local peasant couple who fled from Schinkel's service. Joannes (Morten Hee Andersen) and Ann Barbara (Amanda Collin) help until Schinkel increases his pressure with catastrophic results. Kahlen then seeks help from local Romani and ends up with a young girl whom the Romani had kidnapped further south and no longer want. Anmal Mus (Melina Hagberg/Laura Bilgrau Eskild-Jensen) significantly softens Kahlen's obsessive focus on his settlement.
The film follows Kahlen's efforts to establish the settlement, the heightening violent conflicts with Schinkel, and the final resolution. The story is minimally grounded in history. Ludvig Kahlen was a historical figure, as was Frederik Schinkel, but no one knows the exact location of Kahlen's short-lived settlement. He eventually abandoned the settlement and returned to the military.
It's an intriguing film with some splendid scenery and good acting by Mikkelsen, Bennebjerg, Collin, and Hagberg. The ending seemed forced.
Because of the conflicts with Schinkel, Kahlen seeks the help of a local peasant couple who fled from Schinkel's service. Joannes (Morten Hee Andersen) and Ann Barbara (Amanda Collin) help until Schinkel increases his pressure with catastrophic results. Kahlen then seeks help from local Romani and ends up with a young girl whom the Romani had kidnapped further south and no longer want. Anmal Mus (Melina Hagberg/Laura Bilgrau Eskild-Jensen) significantly softens Kahlen's obsessive focus on his settlement.
The film follows Kahlen's efforts to establish the settlement, the heightening violent conflicts with Schinkel, and the final resolution. The story is minimally grounded in history. Ludvig Kahlen was a historical figure, as was Frederik Schinkel, but no one knows the exact location of Kahlen's short-lived settlement. He eventually abandoned the settlement and returned to the military.
It's an intriguing film with some splendid scenery and good acting by Mikkelsen, Bennebjerg, Collin, and Hagberg. The ending seemed forced.