Art of Crying (2006)
AKA: Kunsten At Græde I Kor
Directed by: Peter Schonau Fog
Starring: Jannik Lorenzen (Allan), Jesper Asholt (Father), Julie Kolbeck (Sanne), Hanne Hedelund (Mother), Thomas Knuth-Winterfeldt (Asger), Bjarne Henriksen (Budde)
Country: Denmark; Effed Up European Movies
Language: Danish (Optional Eng Subs); Effed Up Scandinavian Films
Runtime: 01:46:10
Genres: Siblings-Family, Incest, Old-Young, Teen-Childhood
Plot – Spoilers:
In a ’70s Danish village, young Allan spends his waking hours worried whether his father is unhappy. Because Father being unhappy in their family means Father’s on the brink of suicide. Sometimes this worry gnaws into Allan’s sleeping hours too, like when Father won’t come to bed and Mother seems not to care. On such occasions, Allan has a solution. He wakes his 14-year-old sister and informs her of Father’s unhappiness, following which, she goes downstairs and comforts Father in a way Allan doesn’t fully yet understand. Allan knows there is an uncomfortable secrecy to it, but Father feeling better takes precedence over anything else.
The title Art of Crying actually means something here. Because it’s an art that Father has figured out to manipulate everyone into falling in line. It also probably helps him justify his relationship with his daughter – she comes to comfort me, I don’t force it on her. This art of crying that Father possesses also later unwittingly helps earn him a new standing in the community.
The parents here are either overgrown sly crybabies who get excited over birthday presents at their late age, or selfish fence-sitters only interested in their personal peace of mind, as with Mother. Basically, the roles have been reversed here, and it’s the kids who need to look out for their useless parents and each other.
Despite the effed up themes, there is a beauty to The Art of Crying that can at times be deeply moving.
Favorite Scene:
The first time we see Allan tell his older sister it’s time to go down and comfort Father. He instinctively knows something is wrong about this custom in their family. Also, her reaction to being woken up and the way he fidgets around, unable to fully look her in the eye while goading her on.
There’s always a wheelbarrow when you need one.
**Spoiler***
I don’t know why the older brother left them with and even sent the boy back to live with the father when he knew something was going on. And I was surprised to see the authorities leave the son with he father after they started the investigation.
Perhaps being set in 1971 child services were less reactive.
All in all an interesting movie. Not great but not bad either.
very good. kept my attention.
that 4 eyed crotch goblin deserved an ass beating and more. like father like son.
In anyone is interested, the direct translation is “The art of crying in choir”
Boring shit, no boobs no ass not even a good fuck it’s like watching a documentary blah very boring where is the incest dude??
This made think of Miss Violence, only differently. Main character is a pervert father who breaks down those around him through control and selfishness. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Well acted but intensely depressing.
Kind of fun cause as a Dane I have seen this a few times and kind of never thought about it as a messed-up movie.
But thinking about it now I understand, and think its kind of more messed up our teacher had us watch it during class one time lol
made by germans – more like made by kunstens
Boring incest movie without explicit scenes. Some suggestive shit of what the kids are probably doing with their father but you don’t see anything. Says Uncut version but this is the original film
i wanna fuck u eum
Well, I’m not sure what to make of this one. For the first hour I thought this movie was a comedy. It’s strange and, dare I say, effed up. Allan and Dad were both really irritating. Did I like it? Not really but it belongs here on EUM. Would I watch it again? Nah. 2 stars.
These kind of movies is what makes EUM my favourite streaming source.
Impressing on so many levels.