The Vernon Film Society’s next presentation is The Hunt, one of the year’s most controversial and powerful films.
Mads Mikkelsen (A Royal Affair) stars as Lucas, a divorced daycare worker who is an integral part of a tight-knit community in Denmark. He has lived there all his life and has formed lifelong friendships, particularly with Theo and Bruun, who regularly organize the men’s hunting trips.
Beloved by the children under his care, Lucas has formed a special bond with Klara, the young daughter of Theo and his wife Agnes.
Klara wanders the neighbourhood as a respite from her parents’ constant verbal battles, so Lucas starts escorting her home. When she kisses him on the lips, Lucas tells her sternly that only mommies and daddies kiss that way. Klara, hurt and angry, retaliates by telling the head of the daycare that she has seen things she shouldn’t have, sparking a modern-day witch hunt that targets Lucas and grows progressively uglier.
Rumours, innuendo, and lies transform the once mild-mannered Lucas into a tormented and embittered pariah overnight.
Director Thomas Vinterberg (The Celebration) mercilessly reveals the hypocrisy behind his country’s most cherished social ideals, particularly the close bonds of community, the sanctity of domesticity, and the innocence of childhood.
Directed with consummate skill and driven by exceptional performances from a stellar cast, The Hunt is one of the most troubling and powerful cinematic experiences of the year.
“Beautifully performed and tough as nails, Vinterberg’s social drama could not be any more timely,” said David Hughes, with Empire Magazine.
The Hunt will be shown at the Towne Cinema Monday, Nov. 18 at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and one week ahead at the theatre and the Bean Scene for $7.
