Denmark
THE ART OF CRYING
CREDITS
35mm – colore - 105’
Direction: Peter Schønau Fog
Screenplay: Bo hr. Hansen, based on a novel by Erling Jepsen
Photography: Harald Gunnar Paalgard
Editing: Anne Østerud
Music: Karsten Fundal
Sound: Henry John Michaelsen, Peter Schultz
Cast: Jesper Asholt, Hanne Hedelund, Jannik Lorenzen, Julie Kolbeck.
Producer: Thomas Stenderup
Production: Final Cut Productions ApS, Forbindelsesvej 72100 København Ø E-mail: finalcut@final-cut.dk
World sales: AB Svensk Filmindustri, Råsundavägen 150, 169 86 Stockholm Sweden, website: sfinternational.se E-mail: international@sf.se
SYNOPSIS
South Jutland, the early 1970s. Life isn't easy for 11-year-old Allan. His father has 'psychic nerves' and regularly threatens to kill himself. His mother has given up, his older brother has moved out and the family's small dairy store isn't doing well. When his older sister stops spending the night on the couch with her father, it's up to Allan to keep the family together. His father lives for the times he gets to recite his famously eloquent eulogies and make the mourners weep in chorus. Soon, Allan is lending a hand to make sure there are enough funerals to keep his father happy.
THE DIRECTOR: PETER SCHØNAU FOG
Born 1971, Denmark. Graduate of the National Film School of Denmark, 2000. His graduation film “Lille mænsk” (2000) received Best Film Award at München and Poitiers, and was shortlisted for a Student Academy Award (Baby Oscar).
“The Art of Crying” is Fog's feature film debut.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
The story is both grotesque and tragic. Erling Jepsen has created an incredible child character, who in a very special way, carried along by his survival instinct, sense of humour and timidity, tries to solve the problems of his family. Despite being brought up in a dysfunctional family, Allan has a charm and commonsense that make him one of the most original and heroic figures I have encountered. So, yes, this is a tragic story, but told through the boy’s eyes, it is humorous, relevant, and also deeply moving.
FILMOGRAPHY
2007 The Art of Crying
2000 Lille mænsk
SELECTED FESTIVAL AND AWARDS
Toronto International Film Festival / Canada (09-2006)
Copenhagen International Film Festival / Denmark (10-2006)
San Sebastián, Festival Int. de Cine de / Spain (09-2006) Best Film, Youth Jury
Tokyo International Film Festival / Japan (10-2006)
Los Angeles, AFI Int. Festival / USA (11-2006) Special Mention
Mannheim-Heidelberg, Int. Film Festival / Germany (11-2006) Audience Prize Recommendations Of Cinema Owners Speciel Mention
Tallinn Tarta, Black Nights Film Festival / Estonia (12-2006)
Marrakech International Film Festival / France (12-2006)
Santa Barbara Int. Film Festival / USA (01-2007)
Göteborg International Film Festival / Sweden (01-2007) Best Cinematography
Glasgow Film Festival / Great Britain (02-2007)
Dublin International Film Festival / Ireland (02-2007)
Sofia International Film Festival / Bulgaria (03-2007)
Cleveland International Film Festival / USA (03-2007)
Hong Kong International Film Festival / P.R. China (04-2007)
New York New Directors/New Films / USA (04-2007)
Guadalajara Film Festival / Mexico (03-2007)
Vilnius International Film Festival / Lithuania (04-2007)
Istanbul Int. Film Festival / Turkey (04-2007)
Sarasota Film Festival / USA (04-2007)
Lecce European Cinema Festival Italy / Italy (04-2007)
Nashville Film Festival / USA (04-2007)
Jerusalem Int. Film Festival / Israel (07-2007)
