DENMARK

APPLAUSE

2009 – 35mm – color - 86’

Direction: Martin Pieter Zandvliet
Screenplay: Anders Frithiof August, Martin Pieter Zandvliet
Cinematography: Jesper Tøffner
Editing: Per Sandholt
Set design: Rasmus Cold
Music: Sune Martin
Cast: Paprika Steen, Michael Falch, Sara-Marie Maltha, Shanti Roney
Producer: Mikael Chr. Rieks
Production: Koncern Film
World sales: TrustNordisk, Filmbyen 12, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark,Tel: +45 36 868 788, Fax: +45 36 774 448, e-mail: info@trustnordisk.com, www.trustnordisk.com

SYNOPSIS

Critically acclaimed actress Thea Barfoed has gone through turmoil which has resulted in a divorce and the loss of custody of her two children. She now wants to break with the past, regain control over her life and get her children back. Her ex-husband Christian is quickly persuaded by her tough and manipulative but charming personality and she must prove to both herself and him that she is capable of getting her life back on track. As Thea is up against the rigorous demands of stage life and a past that haunts her, she must face her inner demons while clinging to the goal she has set for herself.

THE DIRECTOR: MARTIN PIETER ZANDVLIET

Martin Pieter Zandvliet (b. 1971, Fredericia, Denmark) took a film editing course at the European Film College in 1998 and, as an editor of trailers, teasers, short films and documentaries, he has worked for the television stations DR TV, TV 2 Zulu and for a series of directors. He is a self-taught director and screenwriter. His first film was the documentary Angels of Brooklyn (2002), which was not only screened at various festivals, but also won the Danish Robert national film prize for Best Documentary. Applause (2009) is his feature film debut.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

The spirit of Applause echoes films from the late 60’s and 70’s. Indeed I am in search for the emotional drama you found in films back then. Applause may also seem like it’s coming from a different time – a cinematic tradition centering on the human soul and on acting. Paprika Steen reigns supreme in the role of Thea. She often says what others only dare to think. I was sure that only she could give Thea the depth we where looking for.
On stage, she plays Martha, the aggressive and wounded, alcoholic wife in Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf? Off stage, Thea the actress is mixed up in a drama that has many of the same tragic, toxic ingredients. Thea is struggling to win joint custody of her two young sons. However, neither her boys, nor her ex-husband – and probably, at heart, not even herself – really believes she is truly reformed and dry. Thea is Thea, a prima donna better suited to acting her heart out than living an ordinary life.

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

2009 Karlovy Vary: Best Actress Award


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