Review of The Hunt (2013) by Tony P — 01 Oct 2016

Every now and then I delve into some world cinema. Today it is The Hunt from 2012. A Danish film from director Thomas Vinterburg starring Mads Mikkelson (who most people may remember as the villain Le Chiffre in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale).

I must say this film was one of the best I have seen in a lacklustre 2016 hence watching old releases.

Mikkelson plays a kindergarten teacher Lucas. Lucas enjoys being popular amongst his young scholars so is shattered one day when he is falsely accused of child abuse.

He loses his job, faces police investigation and is treat like a lepper by previous friends and members of the community. All because of someone's over active imagination.

The witchunt includes physical violence, shunning by the local grocers and the killing of his pet dog Fanny.

Vinterburg makes the viewer intensely frustrated by the actions of Lucas' close friends. The film is very emotive.

The Danish language/English subtitles are quickly forgotten by the intensity of the screenplay.

Interwoven with the witchunt is Lucas membership of a deer hunting group. Hence the hunter becomes the hunted.

The cinematography is very autumnal/woody given the Danish filming location.