If the names Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid mean nothing to you then expect that to change as here comes their bold, utterly involving calling card that rivals any Hollywood crime thriller with, no doubt, a fraction of the budget. Shorta, Arabic for police, is an unrelenting juggernaut of a movie hailing from Denmark; a 108-minute dynamo full of relentless set pieces, and fast-paced action, though with it, a clear and concise message that is sure to spark urgent conversation after viewing.
The story kicks off at the start of a police shift where something quite major has gone down in the days prior. In the notorious Svalegården area of Copenhagen, teenager Talib Ben Hassi has been hospitalised after an altercation with a number of police officers who may, or may not have been heavy-handed in their confrontation. Aware that there may be an uprising, the teams of law enforcement are told to steer clear of Svalegården, so when newly teamed duo Mike Andersen (Jacob Hauberg Lohmann) and Jens Høyer (Simon Sears) follow a suspicious car carrying a minor into the area, you know it’s probably not going to go well for them.
SHortly after arriving in the ghetto, word hits the airwaves that Talib Ben Hassi has succombed to his injuries, and Anderson and Høyer are immediately targeted by the youth who are enraged by the passing of Talib. The two police offers find themselves trapped in the area, danger seemingly lurking around every corner with absolutely no way out, and nobody coming to rescue them.
Ølholm and Hviid deliver a movie which is a cross between the works of Matthieu Kassowitz and Walter Hill with a hint of David Ayer. There is a huge underlying commentary laced into the action, racial profiling, and social injustice at the top of the conversation. The narrative takes thirty or so minutes setting up the premise, but then it’s an absolute pot-boiler; a true bollock-tightener of tension until the closing credits roll.
Beautifully shot, paced, and indeed acted – with an absolute belter of a score by Martin Dirkov – this is a film with production values to rival any studio genre piece – a throwback to classics of the ’70s with a completely modern style to boot. It is unrelenting in its presentation of the situation, unafraid to shock, though completely grounded in reality all of the way to its stunning climax. Dog lovers might want to give a certain scene in a lift towards the end a slight swerve, though.
I was knocked out by Shorta. While we await the inevitable English-language remake, immerse yourself in this nail-biting genre piece from the most exciting filmmakers to come out of Denmark since Nicolas Winding Refn. Yes, this amazing piece of cinema is that good.
Shorta plays as part of the 2021 Glasgow Film Festival.
Shorta
Summary
If its tension you want, then look no further than this superb piece o genre cinema from Denmark from two of its most exciting up and coming filmmakers in Anders Ølholm & Frederik Louis Hviid. An absolute must-see.
