CELEBRATION (1998)

Celebration is dark drama set in the back drop of Helge Klingenfeldt's 60th birthday, which is the first upbeat get together since the loss of his daughter as she committed suicide.  The party is a huge celebration which Helge's grown-up children are aware of as all the relatives and closest friends of the family are about to attend the festivities.  During the initial part of the festivities some disturbing elements of the family history are revealed and it begins to dampen the party atmosphere.  However, the party continues as if nothing ever happened, but someone is determined to spoil the party with the truth.

Celebration is a well-planned and remarkable film as it is shot after the guidelines of Dogme 95, which produces an authentic atmosphere as the camera is handheld and shot with no extra lightening.  The realistic atmosphere that is set in the film enhances the disturbing elements of the story, and makes it almost uncomfortable to watch.  The cast also does a fantastic job in creating genuine characters that the audience can relate to them as they act both respectably and appallingly according to their characters.  As the party comes to an end the audience has witnessed an outmost brilliant cinematic event that will not be forgotten.

DIRECTED BY

Thomas Vinterberg

COUNTRY

Denmark / Sweden
REVIEWED
8/1/2004
GRADE


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