The Bench

Original title: Bænken

2000
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Kaj is an alcoholic living on the money the Danish state is providing him. Him and his friends spend their time drinking beer at a public bench. One day Kaj's life turns upside down when a y... Read allKaj is an alcoholic living on the money the Danish state is providing him. Him and his friends spend their time drinking beer at a public bench. One day Kaj's life turns upside down when a young lady and her child moves in next to him.Kaj is an alcoholic living on the money the Danish state is providing him. Him and his friends spend their time drinking beer at a public bench. One day Kaj's life turns upside down when a young lady and her child moves in next to him.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

4.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 11 wins & 10 nominations

Trivia
This movie is the first of a trilogy by director Per Fly, the other two being "Arven" and "Drabet", dealing with Danish lower, middle and upper class respectively.

Goofs
Kaj's name on the letterbox reappears after he has destroyed it.

Connections
Featured in Bænken - med virkeligheden som udgangspunkt (2000)

Soundtracks
Le grand café
Written by Ph. Lommet
Match Music

User reviews15

Review

Featured review

10/10

Behind every person lies an untold story

This Danish masterpiece revels the story of a drunk alcoholic living in the suburbs of Copenhagen. The film represents the underclass of the Danish welfare society and is the 1st of Per Fly praised trilogy.

Kaj is an alcoholic living on the money the Danish state is providing him. Him and his friends spend their time drinking beer at a public bench. One day Kaj's life turns upside down when a young lady and her child moves in next to him.

The movie shows the life of a person fighting with depression and addiction. Subjects as social inheritance, compassion, honor and shame play a significant role in the movie.

The acting of Kaj is done by Jesper Christensen and it's remarkable trustworthy. One of the best performances I've ever seen. The story of Kaj is interesting and sad. It revels the story of a man who lost his track in life and how this affects others around him. It gives perspective on how people differently are dealing with shame, honor and love. It shows a person who have lost his purpose with life and how drinking became his only solution to deal with it. However behind the trashy clothes and smell lies a great person with honor, love and passion.