Anklaget "Accused"

Directed by Jacob Thuesen (2005)

The every day life of an ordinary family father is shredded to pieces, when he is accused of having had intercourse / incest with his 13-year old daughter. We follow the father Henrik, and how his life and whole existence is turned upside down. Even before the case against him begins, everybody except his loving wife and his best friend now takes an extra look at him. And when he gets be remanded in custody he is close to devastation.

This is an original story that deals with a very controversial and unpleasant subject. It is disturbing but though realistic, thanks to the actors and director who handles this case excellent. Troels Lyby gives a great leading performance as the accused father, and in the two supporting roles as his wife and as his best friend we find Sofie Gråbøl and Paw Henriksen who solves their roles very good. Especially Sofie Gråbøl gives her character depth and credibility.

8/10

Normally the name of screenwriter Kim Fupz Aakesonon a Danish film is enough to make my blood freeze. His proletaristic, mind-numbing dialog (mostly consisting of ummmm.... f****... errr s***) is enough to drive me up the wall, and the terribly dull "everyday" (as if people died in car crashes or went insane were everyday things) stories were tiresome. So my expectations for this film were low. Yet I was to be surprised: Director Jacob Thuesen has turned the "everyday" story on it's head, and created a searing critique of the welfare state, the middle class, and society's (particularly the legal system) increasing dependence on experts, and their influence on people's lives.

Troels Lyby is amazing as the father accused of incest, and for once Aakeson's dialogue is fascinating and sharp. For a Danish film it is impressively edited and filmed, and the visual style (especially the unconventional character introductions) is fittingly cold and edgy. The only problem with this film is that it goes on for about ten minutes too long, and the fact that Sofie Graabøl is simply too tried and tested in this sort of film to be anything else than tiresome.

Overall, a greatly underrated movie. I might actually look forward to Aakeson's next film.

This is one of my favourite movies of all time. It's shocking, thought-provoking and skilfully made.

Not only does Anklaget deal with a taboo topic, incest (the father is accused of it), it also discusses the ways the human mind deals with such a thing (and they are a taboo on their own).

The movie is psychologically insightful. The most important insights don't come via much talk, but with elegant dialogue and the arrangement of scenes.

In many ways this is a one-of-a-kind movie. Terribly underrated.