Nordic western, The Promised Land, had its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival where it was in competition for the coveted Golden Lion. It was also selected for TIFF and Telluride Film Festival in 2023, and this week arrives in cinemas across the UK via Icon Film Distribution.
Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, The Promised Land sees the writer and director reunite with his favourite film star and friend, Mads Mikkelsen. Based on a true story but adapted from the book The Captain and Ann Barbara by Ida Jessen, The Promised Land is a powerful period piece. In 1755, the impoverished Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) sets out to conquer the uninhabitable Danish heath in the name of the King. But the sole ruler of the area, the merciless Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg), who believes the land belongs to him, swears revenge when the maid Ann Barbara (Amanda Collin) and her serf husband escape for refuge with Kahlen.
Featuring stunning visuals, and phenomenal performances across the board, The Promised Land offers a delectable treat for audiences. Filmed across three countries – Germany, Sweden, and the Czech Republic – The Promised Land had a logistically tricky production process. The hard work has paid off though as the film looks authentic to its time period. Ahead of The Promised Land’s arrival in UK cinemas, THN were able to speak to the mastermind behind the project, Nikolaj Arcel, to uncover more information about the film’s creation. Conversation delved into Arcel’s love of adapting books, the logistics of the shoot, and why Mads is the perfect actor. Arcel also championed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Lisbeth Salander as his superhero of choice, and shared why he has left the Hollywood machine behind for good.
Icon Film Distribution presents The Promised Land in UK cinemas from 16 February.
