Ordet - English subtitled
Danish classic by Carl Theodor Dreyer – often referred to by Lars von Trier as his great example – about fanatical religious beliefs in Jutland. Winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
With ORDET, Dreyer adapted a play by writer-pastor Kaj Munk. Dreyer shaped the story in his signature austere style and with a mise-en-scène and lighting reminiscent of paintings by the old masters. The film follows a deeply religious farmer in the Danish countryside. Of his three sons, Johannes believes he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Mikkel is agnostic and Anders, the youngest, has fallen in love with the daughter of a conservative sect leader. A wedding is out of the question unless father and son join the sect. A tragic event will further test the family’s already shaky balance.
ORDET (The Word) is a unique, hypnotic film that explores the nature of believing. Dreyer quietly builds up to the film’s mysterious climax; a classic scene that Lars von Trier referred to in BREAKING THE WAVES.