A War

(Krigen)

In select theaters
February 12^th 2016

115 minutes

Danish

Denmark

Company commander Claus M. Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk) and his men are stationed in an Afghan province. Meanwhile back in Denmark Claus' wife Maria (Tuva Novotny) is trying to hold everyday life together with a husband at war and three children missing their father. During a routine mission, the soldiers are caught in heavy crossfire and in order to save his men, Claus makes a decision that has grave consequences for him - and his family back home. A War is the third feature from director Tobias Lindholm (A HIJACKING), who has also received great acclaim for his screenwriting work for director Thomas Vonterberg, including writing THE HUNT, and is nominated this year for the Foreign Language Film Academy Award as the entry from Denmark.

starring...

Pilou Asbæk

Claus Michael Pedersen

Tuva Novotny

Maria Pedersen

Dar Salim

Najib Bisma

Søren Malling

Martin R. Olsen

Charlotte Munck

Lisbeth Danning

Alex Høgh Andersen

Anders

Dulfi Al-Jabouri

Lutfi Hassan

Writer, Director

Tobias Lindholm

Producer

Rene Ezra, Tomas Radoor

Cinematography

Magnus Nordenhof Jønck

Editing

Adam Nielsen

Casting

Tanja Grunwald

Production Design

Thomas Greve

96% on the CINEMETER

95% - Jan 31, 2016

A stunning film. Excellent portrayal of both the tedium and shock of war. Such tension! And then the moral dilemma...superb!
San Francisco Member

A powerful story: the human casualties of war that will go on forever. Wonderfully nuanced and ambiguous.
San Francisco Member

A civilized overview of the hell, the nightmare of war for all involved. The fllm seemed to me truthful and brutal - I respect its accomplishing it dramatically and not melodramatically.
San Francisco Member

i don't usually go for war films but this was done with so much heart and humanity that I am transformed! The best war movie I have ever seen! [several comments to this effect]
San Francisco Member

Powerful insight into the horrors and dilemmas of war. As usual, the discussion afterwards really added to my overall impressions. Thank you!
San Francisco Member

MIL

98% - Feb 7, 2016

Movie makes you ponder who is responsible for war and its deaths. Why do we have wars?
Milwaukee Member

A more complete experience of war than in HURT LOCKER.
Milwaukee Member

Very nice to see a non-US point of view.
Milwaukee Member

Moving. Powerful. Gritty. Raises thoughts about tough decisions.
Milwaukee Member

Very thought provoking. Well done presentation of multiple dilemmas.
Milwaukee Member

STL

96% - Feb 7, 2016

"A War" is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of the costs of war. From a moral, ethical and legal standpoint, it's challenging. From a filmic perspective, it's brilliant.

St. Louis Member

Powerful. A scathing indictment of the absurdities of war. Back and forth between war-torn Afghanistan and the war being fought in placid Denmark by Claus's heroic wife Maria is very effective and affecting. Court martial scenes are riveting. Film raises profound questions about war, justice, and responsibility.

St. Louis Member

Powerful, frightening. Hard decisions have to be made—even though not everyone will be comfortable viewing this film—it's an important film—the people running for the presidency of this country need to see this and reflect on the multiple damages to the innocents of both the people at home as well as the soldiers and the local people.

St. Louis Member

Brilliantly told story of an utterly human, impossibly complex, and horribly ambiguous, believable situation. Every moment feels real and intense.

St. Louis Member

Powerful, tough to watch but compelling. The lead actor was brilliant. With very little dialogue, his face conveyed a depth of emotion. Images were searing from the first frame of soldiers patrolling in the harsh, bleak environment, to his son's feet poking out of the covers. Everyone needs to see this film.

St. Louis Member

Having had a friend do a tour in Afghanistan and Iraq, I feel they got the war part right—and effectively so. The moral quandary was captured SO well—and the sadness that comes with the lingering effects of one "wrong" decision amongst so much bravery otherwise.

St. Louis Member

ATL

99% - Jan 31, 2016

Intense, non-flinching view of war today. We, as viewers, are all in the battle with them and understand why he did what he did.
Atlanta Member

An excellent and thoughtful film which would appeal to intelligent film goers. It depicted very well the impossible situation into which we put our military personnel and the price our combatants pay both physically and mentally.
Atlanta Member

Really loved this film. Great job of capturing the everyday-probably helped by the handheld cameras. Thie child actors were very good.
Atlanta Member

Best movie I've seen here. Acting excellent. As someone who has had family serve in Afghanistan, I found the themes extremely important to explain .
Atlanta Member

This movie helped me understand better my husband's Viet Nam experience.
Atlanta Member

I guess the lesson is civilians always lose in war. Claus follows the rules and 4 Afghan civilians die. He breaks the rules and 11 Afghan civilians die. And then there's the civilians left at home.
Atlanta Member

Proof that we'll never know what really happens in a war--or what happens when you live in a war-torn place. All subsequent verdicts are imprecise, and the confusion, the presumed lying also confirms the movie's message--i.e.,,there's no way to know. History is imprecise.
Atlanta Member

When a nation dedicated to human rights is sent to keep the peace where here is an enemy with no respect for human rights, you create a conflict that is untenable. To whom do you commit your loyalty--to your soldiers or to your country's ideals. This movie puts you right in the middle of the dilemma. Really well done.
Atlanta Member

99% - Jan 31, 2016

While I would never have gone out of my way to see this film, I very much appreciate the experience. I think it gave a genuine account of the complexity of war and the emotional and physical fallout to everyone involved. (Note: a number of people said that this is not a film they would have chosen to see, but they are glad that it was shown.)
Greater New Haven Member

Very powerful, heavy, but excellent movie! War is hell and affects so many lives and not in a positive way – but we still get involved. Interesting that this soldier’s war continued in the courtroom and perhaps for the rest of his life. (Note, the word ‘powerful’ appeared on about a dozen cards.)
Greater New Haven Member

Greater New Haven Member

Outstanding. Should be screened in every university ethics course.
Greater New Haven Member

What an incredible film! We all need to see this! It’s as close to a documentary as possible. One comes away with a much closer sense of what experiences produce PTSD. Perhaps we can be more empathetic as a result.
Greater New Haven Member

It was the best depiction of war – I felt like I was there, physically and emotionally. War is always horrible, but we seem incapable of learning from the past.
Greater New Haven Member

A brilliant film: complex, original, heartbreaking. I respect its pacing, intelligence, its quiet approach to a deeply complex subject.
Greater New Haven Member

Engaging storyline effectively demonstrating the complexities of war, on foreign land and at home. Both halves of the movie worked, clearly depicting the dilemmas faced by all involved, from the combat soldiers to the prosecutor, to the kids. I really liked the shot at the end of his son’s feet.
Greater New Haven Member

Once again, the Cinema Club shows a great film!
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

95% - Jan 31, 2016

I found it painful--that is a positive response and a testament to the film.
Boston Member

War scenes disturbing/realistic; trial suspenseful. Vivid picture of war.
Boston Member

Excellent (6 times).
Boston Member

Engaging in a way I didn't expect.
Boston Member

A real depiction of war--terrifying and surreal.
Boston Member

Tight, extremely well-edited--one of my favorite movies in years
Boston Member

Profound, scary, sad.
Boston Member

89% - Jan 31, 2016

The films builds, or layers, intensity. It seems like there are almost 3 films – The War, The Family & The Trial.
Washington, DC Member

The biggest accomplishment of this film was showing the tedium of war – and just regular family life – in a way that made me feel it, but still want to keep watching.
Washington, DC Member

I’m 91 and this is one of the best movies I have ever I seen!
Washington, DC Member

One of the most powerful films I’ve ever seen! I felt that I was actually there and unless you’re there, don’t condemn certain actions. Most accurate film of the war in the Middle-East that I’ve seen so far, in my opinion.
Washington, DC Member

Brought up all the important questions about war as a solution to anything. Very intense portrayal of the complexities of armed combat.
Washington, DC Member

BOCA

Feb 7, 2016

Magnolia Films