By Nathaniel R
Vinterberg at the Oscars in 2014When we were first were introduced (not literally) to writer/director Thomas Vinterberg, who turns 48 today (Gratulerer med dagen!), in 1998 we thought "he ought to be in pictures!".
⇱ Just look at that mug!
The Dane auteur IS in pictures, at least spiritually, since he still makes Danish pictures inbetween his English language films and some of them are clearly pulled from his soul. His new film The Commune is a fictional story but the director did grow up in a commune watching the adults struggle with their decisions (The Commune has a key teenage character who is very observant).
So with that film in theaters in select cities and also on VOD (you can stream it for a price on Amazon
He's made nine features. How many have you seen?
The Splashy (Yet Modest) Start (1996-1998)
After his debut feature (The Biggest Heroes), which didn't travel outside Denmark really, Vinterberg joined the Dogme 95 collective with Lars von Trier. That filmmaking manifesto declared that directors could not be credited. Even with his name absent from the credts that didn't stop Vinterberg from becoming a hot filmmaker. Though von Trier technically made the first of those features (The Idiots), Vinterberg's Festen (or The Celebration) was the first to be released internationally and was a bonafide critical sensation with a Canne Jury prize, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations, and great arthouse box office.
Decidedly Indie (2003-2010)
Despite the international success of The Celebration the next decade of Vinterberg's career was weirdly quiet with a handful of small international features that didn't work or didn't break out (It's All About Love with Joaquin Phoenix and Dear Wendy with Jamie Bell). In this time period he also made Danish comedies (When a Man Comes Home) and dramas (Submarino), and a few TV movies at home.
A higher profile (2012-2017)
The Hunt, starring Mads Mikkelsen as a man falsely accused of pedophilia, returned Thomas Vinterberg to the spotlight. It was his first film to be Oscar nominated (losing to Italy's The Great Beauty). He followed that up with his biggest international hit to date, a remake of the classic Far From the Madding Crowd. He's just returned to cinemas stateside with The Commune, which harkens back to the dogme 95 days a bit (though it looks much more beautiful with all those pesky rules gone) given all its raggedy human dynamism, dark humor, and personal tragedy. The Commune (reviewed) was one of three finalists for Denmark's Oscar submission last year but eventually they chose the post World War II drama Land of Mine to represent them which went on to be nominated.
Vinterberg's next feature is Kursk with perfect human specimens Matthias Schoenaerts and Léa Seydoux.
How many have you seen and will you be checking out The Commune?