Directed by:
Michael NoerCinematography:
Sturla Brandth GrøvlenComposer:
Rune Tonsgaard SørensenCast:
Jesper Christensen, Clara Rosager, Ghita Nørby, Magnus Krepper, Elliott Crosset Hove, Rasmus Hammerich, Bertil de Lorenzi, Gustav Dyekjær Giese (more)Plots(1)
For years, Jens — iconic Danish actor Jesper Christensen, leading a stellar cast — has been fighting to survive on a harsh, unyielding piece of land. The family's decline in fortune is deeply felt and underscored by the local burghers. The parish priest humiliates them by moving them further back in the church, and Jens is now being targeted by Gustav, a wealthy Swede looking to expand his holdings. With winter coming, Jens must choose between marrying off his beloved daughter or losing his family's only means of survival. (Toronto International Film Festival)
(more)Reviews (3)
I usually approach every Scandinavian film with excitement, especially when it has high ratings. But Before the Frost left me disappointed. It didn’t deliver what I’d expect from a film with such a promising setup. Visually, it’s fairly interesting, but the story is so bleak that it just becomes downright boring. It probably didn’t help that I had recently watched another farming drama—this time from Estonia—that nailed everything perfectly. Normally, I enjoy Michael Noer’s direction and have liked his previous films, but with this one, I really struggled to make it to the end.
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Michael Noer is my favourite Danish director and I look forward to every new film he makes, but this was unfortunately a misstep. Substituting prison and gangsters for the Danish countryside on a farm was a bad idea. Thematically, the film missed me completely, the depressing atmosphere didn't work and actually nothing interesting happens for the whole film. I didn't enjoy it, so maybe next time Noere, and please with Roland Møller! Story***, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence**, Entertainment**, Music**, Visuals***, Atmosphere***, Suspense*. 4/10.
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Today was a day full of cinematic treats. After an extremely positive encounter with Wolfwalkers, I also enjoyed this Danish drama, which brought emotions from the other side of the spectrum. The film (or rather its atmosphere) was literally drenched in despair and depression, the creators offered me a look into the financial and moral decline of one family, depicted in such a way that was really unsettling at times (in a good way). 4*+
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