Why we picked it – A joyous celebration of the end of Dry January.

Synopsis – Four middle aged teachers struggle with unmotivated students and feel that their lives have become boring and stale. They decide to experiment with Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud’s suggestion that a permanently raised bloodstream alcohol level makes you more creative and relaxed. In a short period of time, all four find their work and private lives more enjoyable. They decide to take the experiment further and, unsurprisingly, matters run out of control. It is comical but the consequences are both tragic and redemptive for different members of the group.

The film – Vinterberg set out to celebrate alcohol but recognises that its effects are not always benign. The film has an ambivalent conclusion on the merits or otherwise of drinking, which will probably not survive the planned American remake (Why do they do this?) Ultimately it’s a classic Vinterberg film about letting go and enjoying life as it comes. It is dedicated to Ida, Vinterberg’s 19-year-old daughter, who died in a car crash just as production began. “Having just lost a life,” Vinterberg has said, “the celebratory, life-affirming element became extremely important.”

Director: Thomas Vinterberg, Writers: Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm, Denmark 2020 117 mins (12A)Winner of Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Oscars and BAFTA

Links – imdb entry FT review Guardian review

Trivia -The original Danish title, Druk, means binge-drinking. It is surely significant that a language has a specific word for that. Denmark has as much of a drinking culture as the UK, maybe more so.