Land Of Mine

(Under sandet)

In select theaters
February 10^th 2017

100 minutes

Danish
German
English

Denmark
Germany

Few films detail the immediate aftermath of conflict and occupation from the Second World War. After six years of war and terror the lines between right and wrong had been eradicated. Land of Mine, the new film from Danish writer/director Martin Zandvliet, exposes the previously hidden story of Denmark’s darkest hour. In the days following the surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945, German POWs held in Denmark were put to work by the Allied Forces. With minimal or no training in defusing explosives, they were sent to remove in excess of two million of their own landmines from the Danish west coast. During this process, more than half of them were killed or severely wounded. Zandvliet sheds light on this historical tragedy as the entry point to a story that involves love, hate, revenge and reconciliation. Land of Mine is about the aftermath of war; but more so, about humanity. Zandvliet finds equally compelling material for his tale of comradeship, survival, and unexpected friendships. It questions the existence of the inherent evil that could exist in us all. But is it ever possible to show sympathy for those who represented the Nazi terror?

starring...

Roland Møller

Sgt. Carl Rasmussen

Louis Hofmann

Sebastian Schumann

Joel Basman

Helmut Morbach

Mikkel Boe Følsgaard

Lt. Ebbe Jensen

Zoe Zandvliet

Elisabeth

Laura Bro

Karin

Directed and Writen By

Martin Zandvliet

Director of Photography

Camilla Hjelm

Music By

Sune Martin

Film Editing by

Per Sandholt, Molly Marlene Stensgaard

Production Design By

Gitte Malling

Art Direction

Seth Turner

Casting By

Simone Bär

Producer

Malte Grunert, Mikael Chr. Rieks

88% on the CINEMETER

STL

94% - Feb 5, 2017

Very intense, the atrocities of war are deplorable! It's easier to hate someone when you don't know them. The Danish officers were as bad as the Germans! There are never any winners in war! Maybe our current administration should see this film.
St. Louis Member

So intense! It reinforces the brutality of war and how the hatred was so deep. I never knew about this. The relationship between Carl and the boys was fascinating. Brilliant.
St. Louis Member

Emotionally devastating. Film did an excellent job of depicting the horror and potential humanity shown in unspeakably difficult situations. Raises complex issues--I will be thinking about this a very long time.
St. Louis Member

Powerful, overwhelming, almost unbearable to watch--but it had to be. Superb direction by Martin Zandvliet. Acting, especially by Roland Moller as Sgt. Carl Rasmussen, is heroic--and compelling. More than any other film, it "humanizes" the Germans. Poignant, thought-provoking; evokes conflicting feelings. Deserves a larger audience than it will probably get.
St. Louis Member

It was heartening to see in this film that compassion can exist in the worst of conditions. It portrayed well the lasting effects of war. Does hatred or war ever have a chance of ending? Obviously, not this year in our world or our country - or our city!
St. Louis Member

Should be a "must watch" for all of those who send people into war. Atrocity + cruelty beget more atrocity + cruelty. Shines a light on the effects of war on the civilian population and those who are sent to fight.
St. Louis Member

ATL

99% - Feb 5, 2017

OMG...grabbed me and did not let go. Amazing performance by Roland Moeller. He should get the best actor Oscar. Fabulous film.
Atlanta Member

A story to remind us of the injustices of war, and see young people forced into another awful situation. MOVING!
Atlanta Member

The occupier becomes the enslaved. So unusual to see how young the German soldiers were. Devastating the way we as humans can and do act out. I’m wrecked as I draw parallels between this situation and slavery in the United States. The morality shifts were jarring and enriched the storytelling.
Atlanta Member

Thank you for showing a provocative film such as this one. It highlights what art at its best can illuminate about humanity.
Atlanta Member

Beautifully photographed and paced film, contrasting with violence of war. Kindness & cruelty exist without regard to which side you are on. They exist as part of our humanity. This film tells that truth brutally and poetically.
Atlanta Member

Every member of the House of Representatives, senate, presidential cabinet and the President should watch this movie…twice.

Atlanta Member

MIL

90% - Feb 5, 2017

Current story of a complicated time. Wonderfully casted and acted!
Milwaukee Member

Great way to start the new season!
Milwaukee Member

It was well acted. The story depicted is too terrible.
Milwaukee Member

BOS

99% - Jan 29, 2017

A beautiful, challenging, emotional movie, keeping you very tense the whole movie. I will ponder on this war aspect as we live in our world which today is so frightening!
Boston Member

An incredible film—with chilling resonance for today—the labeling of “them” as enemy and the power of brutality in any situation—multilayered, not simplistic.
Boston Member

Exceptional film—painful, disturbing, totally involves viewer. One of the best war movies I’ve ever seen.
Boston Member

One of the most complex and moving films I’ve seen. What is revenge, justice, humanity? Who do we make pay for evil? Let’s face the reality of war!
Boston Member

Delineates people’s inhumanity and humanity during wartime conditions very effectively.
Boston Member

Outstanding acting, excellent screenplay. Excellent reframing of roles of powerful and conquered.
Boston Member

82% - Jan 29, 2017

Powerful, thought-provoking, emotionally taxing and an AMAZING movie!
San Francisco Member

Brutal, scared the hell out of me. I had to watch it through my fingers [many such comments]. But such an important topic. A brave, brave film that is both horrific and gorgeous.
San Francisco Member

A pretty sober, mostly cliché-free war film that, to its credit, illuminates a story not told in the vast archive of WW2 history. I'm a bit weary of films in this genre and time period, but I can't deny its visceral emotional force, artfully executed.
San Francisco Member

Peter's historical background was extremely helpful - hard to watch but an excellent, well edited, beautifully performed and honest film about the brutality of war.
San Francisco Member

90% - Jan 29, 2017

Unusual and rare subject: the good guys becoming the bad guys.
Greater New Haven Member

Riveting. A piece of history unknown to most.
Greater New Haven Member

So glad to see a foreign film Oscar nominee! Tense but great.
Greater New Haven Member

Intense, difficult to watch but excellent. I don't like the title - it's very misleading! [Note: the moderator strongly agrees about the title.]
Greater New Haven Member

The most intense movie I have seen at the Cinema Club and an excellent anti-war film. Every politician should be made to see this film. [Note: quite a few comments like this, often made with reference to the new US president.]
Greater New Haven Member

Shocking, gruesome, almost unwatchable. One of the most impressive films I have ever seen. Elicited strong feelings from me.
Greater New Haven Member

Trump needs to see this film, but it won't help.
Greater New Haven Member

92% - Jan 29, 2017

The strong suit of the movie was the complexity of its humanity. An example was the sergeant character. The sergeant carried this movie because the actor was able to scare us AND win our sympathy. The young actors, especially the twins, wrung my heart.
Washington, DC Member

The score was particularly great - loved the pacing.
Washington, DC Member

A stark and beautiful window into the soul of war, the human connections and the moral contradictions. One is reminded of the co-dependence of soldiers, colleagues and indeed citizens of the world. And one cannot escape the reminder, at this political moment, of the necessity to see people as humans and not political enemies.
Washington, DC Member

For the film, I see a perfect sponsor: Xanax!
Washington, DC Member

Harrowing, gripping. Difficult to watch, but impossible not to.
Washington, DC Member

Not just the best foreign film, but best film of the year. Profound and riveting. I feel like I stepped on an emotional mine.
Washington, DC Member

Should come with a pacemaker alert!
Washington, DC Member

BOCA

58% - Feb 5, 2017

Brutally tough but excellent movie!
Boca Raton Member

Terrific acting and great story
Boca Raton Member

Heartbreaking and fascinating story!
Boca Raton Member

Difficult to watch but interesting and good story about a little-known facet of WW II
Boca Raton Member

Didn't think I would like it but I did and I got caught up in the emotions of the characters,.
Boca Raton Member

Very engrossing! Recommend to men more than women.
Boca Raton Member

Raises deep questions about forgiveness, empathy and morality. Hard to watch and hard to recommend but very glad I saw it!
Boca Raton Member

Despite the domination of brutality, there was still some humanity!
Boca Raton Member

Unbelievably powerful with fabulous acting and scenery that took my breath away, but I couldn't watch it. I couldn't stomach this vivid portrayal of man's inhumanity to man and so suspensful that I had to leave after the first German POW boy was blown up!
Boca Raton Member

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