The Celebration (Festen)

1998

The Celebration (Festen)

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

92%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 39

94%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 20,558

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The Celebration (Festen) Photos

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Movie Info

It's summertime in Denmark, and at the Great House a celebration is about to begin: Helge Klingenfeldt, patriarch and lord of the manor, is turning sixty. Invitations have been issued, the seating plan drawn up, and now the guests' cars are pulling into the drive up to the entrance: friends, relatives, and of course, the patriarch's next of kin: Elsa, his wonderful wife, and their three grown-up children, Christian, Michael, and Helene. The head of the family is to be fêted in a way nobody will ever forget.
  • Rating:
    R (for strong sexual content and language, including references to sexual abuse)
  • Genre:
    Art House & International, Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Thomas Vinterberg
  • Written By:
    Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    October Films

Cast

Ulrich Thomsen
as Christian
Henning Moritzen
as Helge
Birthe Neumann
as Elsa
Thomas Bo Larsen
as Michael
Paprika Steen
as Helene
Trine Dyrholm
as Pia
Helle Dolleris
as Mette
Bjarne Henriksen
as Kim
Gbatokai Dakinah
as Gbatokai
Therese Glahn
as Michelle
Klaus Bondam
as Master of Ceremonies
Lasse Lunderskov
as Uncle
Lars Brygmann
as Receptionist
Lene Laub Oksen
as Sister
Linda Laursen
as Birthe
John Boas
as Grandad
Erna Boas
as Grandma
Thomas Vinterberg
as Taxi Driver
Bent Henningsen
Poul Kajbaek
Vibeke Dalset
Janne Thomsen
Anette Jakobsen
Poul Peterson
Gulli Sejrsen
Vibeke Kaiser
John Johnsen
Dan Ellertsen
Soren Sogreni
Annette Jakobsen
Kate Goldschmidt
Jens Norring
Bent Kaiser
Maria Myrgard
Peter Krag
Stig Poul Hansen
Kaj Rasmussen
as Man in the Kitchen
Robert Strandgard
as Man in the Kitchen
Gry Worre Hallberg
as Woman in the Kitchen
Rene
as Man in the Kitchen
Christine Louise Jorgensen
as Child
Dorte Olofsen
as Child
Kasper Olofsen
as Child
Emilian Sejersen
as Child
Susanne Funck
as Child
Rosmarie Jorgensen
as Child
Lasse Jacobsen
as Child
Sigrid Aalbaek
as Child
Mikkel Jacobsen
as Child
View All

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Critic Reviews for The Celebration (Festen)

All Critics (39) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (3)

View All Critic Reviews (39)

Audience Reviews for The Celebration (Festen)

  • Jan 10, 2014
    The first film of the Dogme 95 movement is this riveting - and remarkably well put together - amalgam of hilarious farce and devastating family drama, where the dirty laundry is washed in an extremely revealing criticism of a bourgeoisie trying to maintain its status quo.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 22, 2013
    A gut wrenching film directed under the Dogme 95 Manifesto by Thomas Vinterberg. Under the rules of this manifesto the film has be free of special effects and use of technology that would take attention away from the story or the acting, hence making use of natural light, sound, and camera movements only made by hand. As a result the gamble pays off only when the acting is top notch and the story is gripping enough, and Festen absolutely does.
    Nicolas K Super Reviewer
  • Oct 22, 2012
    Hard-hitting family drama with shocking revelations during a landmark birthday party. Potent cinema verite direction makes this an uncomfortable affair. The actor who plays the loutish brother is one of the most believably despicable film characters ever.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
  • Apr 03, 2011
    Simple, stripped-down film by Danish auteur Thomas Vinterberg, made under the Dogme 95 manifesto which, among other things, promotes shooting with a handheld camera while restricting the use of artificial lighting. The realistic, almost home-video style and look of the film makes it feel natural, organic, unrehearsed. Having seen a stage adaptation a few years ago, the film's main revelation did not come as a shock to me, but it wasn't any less devastating, thanks in great part to Ulrich Thomsen's work, a restrained performance that stands out even more when compared to some of his costars' overacting.
    Fernando Rafael Q Super Reviewer
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The Celebration (Festen) Quotes

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