Lucas is a kind-hearted nursery school teacher who is loved by his pupils, and those in his community alike. He unfortunately finds his whole world crumbling around him when one of his pupils, Klara who had a crush on him, implies he has sexually abused her. Finding himself becoming a social outcast, he struggles to prove his innocence to the same community that has already tried and convicted him.
Thomas Vinterberg who had previously explored the subject of sexual abuse with the provocative Festen, did so again with The Hunt. However this time he flips it on its head by depicting the plight of someone who is falsely accused, with Mads Mikkelsen, who has become more renowned for playing more villainous roles, proving his range in this hard-hitting drama. Once a beloved member of the community that he inhabits, its a charge leveled at Lucas that not only affects him but also his teenage son Marcus. Finding himself the burden of having a father who has been accused of the most heinous of crimes.
Vinterberg superbly depicts the shoot first and ask questions later mentality that has become prevalent in contemporary society. Whereas often is the case that someone who has such an allegation leveled at them is already found to be guilty before being even proven innocent. One such example is Grethe, the director of the nursery who is present at the questioning of Klara by an acquaintance, who due to her over zealous approach is prepared to think the worst before being made aware of the full facts. Its the incompetence of her and others that makes Lucas's plight all the more infuriating.
Mikkelsen gives a powerful, sympathetic performance as a man finding the life he has built for himself disintegrating, becoming a figurative leper to practically everyone around him who has become enveloped in mass hysteria. His despair and frustration as well is very much palpable as he sees those who he thought were his friends turn against him.
To say Vinternberg as he did before with Festen, is covering a taboo, and needless to say delicate subject would be an understatement. He handles it though with sensitivity, with it never once feeling sensationalist or exploitative. What makes it so undeniably sobering is it's something that could happen to anyone, making it all the more relevant a subject. Pedophile paranoia although to some degree understandable is at its heart a very genuine and pertinent issue, which is what singles out Vinterberg for praise for daring to broach one that is so contentious. It all builds to a climax, which after the dust has seemed to have settled, asks of us a thought-provoking question. Are those who find themselves on the receiving end of such abhorrent allegations. Vinterberg doesn't offer any easy answers, which makes it all the more real and chilling. The Hunt is a masterpiece of film-making and a superb piece of social commentary that examines a complex issue that Isn't talked about enough and should not be ignored.
Thomas Vinterberg who had previously explored the subject of sexual abuse with the provocative Festen, did so again with The Hunt. However this time he flips it on its head by depicting the plight of someone who is falsely accused, with Mads Mikkelsen, who has become more renowned for playing more villainous roles, proving his range in this hard-hitting drama. Once a beloved member of the community that he inhabits, its a charge leveled at Lucas that not only affects him but also his teenage son Marcus. Finding himself the burden of having a father who has been accused of the most heinous of crimes.
Vinterberg superbly depicts the shoot first and ask questions later mentality that has become prevalent in contemporary society. Whereas often is the case that someone who has such an allegation leveled at them is already found to be guilty before being even proven innocent. One such example is Grethe, the director of the nursery who is present at the questioning of Klara by an acquaintance, who due to her over zealous approach is prepared to think the worst before being made aware of the full facts. Its the incompetence of her and others that makes Lucas's plight all the more infuriating.
Mikkelsen gives a powerful, sympathetic performance as a man finding the life he has built for himself disintegrating, becoming a figurative leper to practically everyone around him who has become enveloped in mass hysteria. His despair and frustration as well is very much palpable as he sees those who he thought were his friends turn against him.
To say Vinternberg as he did before with Festen, is covering a taboo, and needless to say delicate subject would be an understatement. He handles it though with sensitivity, with it never once feeling sensationalist or exploitative. What makes it so undeniably sobering is it's something that could happen to anyone, making it all the more relevant a subject. Pedophile paranoia although to some degree understandable is at its heart a very genuine and pertinent issue, which is what singles out Vinterberg for praise for daring to broach one that is so contentious. It all builds to a climax, which after the dust has seemed to have settled, asks of us a thought-provoking question. Are those who find themselves on the receiving end of such abhorrent allegations. Vinterberg doesn't offer any easy answers, which makes it all the more real and chilling. The Hunt is a masterpiece of film-making and a superb piece of social commentary that examines a complex issue that Isn't talked about enough and should not be ignored.