THE FILM
TITLE: Knight of Fortune (Ridder Lykke)
RELEASE DATE: 28 Apr 2022
WATCH DATE: 17 Feb 2024
TYPE: live-action short film (Danish)
ACCESS:
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THE PEOPLE
DIRECTOR: Lasse Lyskjær Noer
PRODUCER: Hanne Bruun Jensen, Christian Norlyk
ACTORS: Leif Andréem, Jens Jørn Spottag
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THE STORY
RUNTIME: 25min
STORYLINE: two men face the loss of their wives and struggle with saying goodbye at the morgue, but one of them has a comedic secret
STYLE/GENRE: drama, loss, saying goodbye, life and death
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THE CRITIQUE
This short was a fun insight into foreign film for me. It made me think that the types of stories other countries pay attention to and creatively express on screen might not quite be the same types of stories that Americans express on the screen. For that, it was refreshing and intriguing. Two old men in a morgue... not the normal type of story you could expect to see in a movie. Yet, that is the beauty and wonder of film - anything can happen.
I found this story to be endearing, heartfelt, and awkward, but in a good way. Two men trying to take the last look and say a final goodbye to their wives who have both passed away. Karl (Leif Andréem) struggles to build up the courage to open the casket. Torben (Jens Jørn Spottag) says he shares the same struggle, asking if Karl would do it with him.
Knight of Fortune is titled after a Danish song of the same name. This song happens to be Karl’s wife’s favorite, and he sings it for her towards the end of the film. (You can read the full English lyrics here.) Ironically, it’s also quite fortunate that these two men crossed paths with each other, and shared in their loss.
The script is quite well-written, weaving comedic relief into a sorrowful moment. To make you chuckle and shed a tear or two within the span of 20 minutes shows great skill. This film is a glimpse into real life, and you can practically taste it. There’s minimal scoring and lots of silence. And despite the awkward interactions, you walk away smiling.
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THE RECEPTION
NOMINATIONS
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THE IMPRESSION
IN A SINGLE WORD: endearing
MOST STRIKING ELEMENT: emotional contrast
REWATCH: no
RATING: 2.5 // 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐
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