THE PROMISED LAND

By Nikolaj Arcel

From the Academy Award®-nominated director of 'A ROYAL AFFAIR'

Official Selection at the 80th Venice International Film Festival 

Denmark's Official Oscar Entry 2024

FACTS

Title: THE PROMISED LAND
Original title: BASTARDEN
Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Gustav Lindh, Kristine Kujath Thorp, Simon Bennebjerg
Genre: Historical Drama
Duration: 127 min
Language: Danish
Additional Languages: German, Swedish
Country of origin: Denmark
Scriptwriter: Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel
Cinematographer: Rasmus Videbæk
Editor: Oliviér Bugge Coutté
Production Company: Zentropa Entertainment
Producers: Louise Vesth
Production year: 2023
Budget EUR: 8M
Local release: 05-10-2023
Film status: Internationally premiered

In 1755, the impoverished Captain Ludvig Kahlen sets out to conquer the harsh, uninhabitable Danish heath with a seemingly impossible goal; to build a colony in the name of the King. In exchange, he'll receive a desperately desired Royal name for himself. But the sole ruler of the area, the merciless Frederik de Schinkel, arrogantly believes this land belongs to him. When de Schinkel learns that the maid Ann Barbara and her serve husband have escaped for refuge with Kahlen, the privileged and spiteful ruler swears revenge, doing everything in his power to drive the captain away. Kahlen will not be intimated and takes up the unequal battle - not only risking his life, but also the family of outsiders that has formed around him.

 

PRESS KIT

LATEST NEWS

Press Release: THE PROMISED LAND wins nine Robert Awards
3. February 2024
Press Release: THE PROMISED LAND Takes Home Two Awards At Göteborg…
3. February 2024
The Danish Film Institute: The Promised Land wins two awards at…
3. February 2024

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The New Yorker: How Mads Mikkelsen Generates Sympathy for the Devil
28. January 2024 / The New Yorker / Alex Barasch

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Six features from TrustNordisk catalogue selected for leading Festival…
9. January 2024 / TrustNordisk

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: The Promised Land bags three EFA awards for…
13. December 2023 / Nordisk Film & TV Fond / Annika Pham

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SCREEN DAILY: In conversation: Nikolaj Arcel and Mads Mikkelsen on…
6. December 2023 / Screen Daily / Wendy Mitchell

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PRESS RELEASE: MADS MIKKELSEN WINS 'BEST ACTOR' AT THE EUROPEAN FILM…
9. December 2023 / TrustNordisk

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Screen Daily: ‘The Promised Land’ takes Evolution Mallorca film…
26. October 2023 / Ben Dalton / Screen Daily

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Screen Daily: Oscars 2024: Denmark picks Nikolaj Arcel’s ‘The Promised…
26. September 2023 / Screen Daily / Orland Parfitt

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The Hollywood Reporter: Oscars: Denmark Picks ‘The Promised Land’ for…
26. September 2023 / The Hollywood Reporter / Scott Roxborough

Mads Mikkelsen stars in the period drama from 'A Royal Affair' director Nikolaj Arcel.

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Deadline: Oscars: Denmark Submits ‘The Promised Land’ For Best…
26. September 2023 / Deadline / Melanie Goodfellow

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Press release: 'THE PROMISED LAND' BY NIKOLAJ ARCEL OFFICIALLY…
26. September 2023 / TrustNordisk

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Deadline: Mads Mikkelsen To Receive Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Eye…
21. September 2023 / Deadline / Zac Ntim

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The Hollywood Reporter: Icon Takes Mads Mikkelsen’s ‘The Promised…
19. September 2023 / The Hollywood Reporter / Scott Roxborough

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Vogue: 10 Movies From the Toronto Film Festival to Get Excited About
15. September 2023 / Vogue / Taylor Antrim

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PRESS RELEASE: 'THE PROMISED LAND' BY NIKOLAJ ARCEL WILL HAVE ITS…
7. September 2023 / TrustNordisk

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The Film Verdict: A beautifully imagined and played tale of men at war…
4. September 2023 / The Film Verdict / Boyd van Hoeij

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Deadline: ‘The Promised Land’ Review: Mads Mikkelsen At His Staunch,…
1. September 2023 / Deadline / By Stephanie Bunbury

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Variety: ‘The Promised Land’ Review: Mads Mikkelsen Grows Potatoes…
1. September 2023 / Variety / Guy Lodge

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Screen Daily: ’The Promised Land’: Venice Review
1. September 2023 / Screen Daily / Wendy Ide

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The Hollywood Reporter: ‘The Promised Land’ Review: Mads Mikkelsen…
1. September 2023 / The Hollywood Reporter / David Rooney

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Variety: ‘The Dark Tower’ Director Nikolaj Arcel Talks Mads Mikkelsen…
1. September 2023 / Variety / Marta Balaga

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: Nikolaj Arcel on being inspired by fatherhood,…
1. September 2023 / TrustNordisk

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PRESS RELEASE: 'THE PROMISED LAND' BY NIKOLAJ ARCEL SELECTED FOR 'THE…
30. August 2023 / TrustNordisk

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The Hollywood Reporter: Venice Film Festival: David Rooney’s Top 10…
29. August 2023 / The Hollywood Reporter / David Rooney

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: The Promised Land, Apolonia, Apolonia and…
25. August 2023 / Nordisk Film & TV Fond / Annika Pham

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THE DANISH FILM INSTITUTE: 'THE PROMISED LAND' BY NIKOLAJ ARCEL AND…
24. August 2023 / TrustNordisk

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ROLLING STONE: Mads Mikkelsen Is Out to Conquer Denmark in ‘The…
23. August 2023 /

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VARIETY (EXCLUSIVE): ‘The Promised Land’ Trailer: Mads Mikkelsen Plays…
23. August 2023 /

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PRESS RELEASE: 'THE PROMISED LAND' BY NIKOLAJ ARCEL SELECTED FOR…
18. August 2023 / TrustNordisk

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Press release: The Promise Land By Nikolaj Arcel Selected for the 48th…
10. August 2023 / TrustNordisk

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The Danish Film Institute: The Promised Land Selected for Main…
25. July 2023 / The Danish Film Institute

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The Hollywood Reporter: Venice Scores Star-Studded Lineup Despite…
25. July 2023 / The Hollywood Reporter / Scott Roxborough

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PRESS RELEASE: 'THE PROMISED LAND' BY NIKOLAJ ARCEL SELECTED FOR…
24. July 2023 / TrustNordisk

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PRESS RELEASE: FIRST STILLS AND NEW SALES REVEALED OF NIKOLAJ ARCEL'S…
26. May 2023 /

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Screen Daily: TrustNordisk adds more sales for ‘The Bastard’ starring…
26. May 2023 / Wendy Mitchell

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: TrustNordisk closes new sales on Mads…
26. May 2023 / Annika Pham

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: Cannes: Star-packed Convoy, The Bastard lead…
11. May 2023 / By Nordisk Film & TV Fond / Annika Pham

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Cineuropa: Full cast unveiled for Zentropa-produced drama The Bastard
23. September 2022 / Davide Abbatescianni

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The Hollywood REPORTER: First Look at Mads Mikkelsen in Danish Epic…
22. September 2022 / Scott Roxborough

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VARIETY: Nikolaj Arcel’s Epic Drama ‘The Bastard’ Assembles Stellar…
22. September 2022 / Elsa Keslassy

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: Nikolaj Arcel’s The Bastard starts filming -…
22. September 2022 / Annika Pham

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SCREENDAILY: Full cast, first look unveiled for Nikolaj Arcel, Mads…
22. September 2022 / Wendy Mitchell

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DEADLINE: Zentropa Reveals Full Cast & Name Change For Mads Mikkelsen…
22. September 2022 / Zac Ntim

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PRESS RELEASE: ZENTROPA PRESENTS FULL CAST AND FIRST BEHIND-THE-SCENES…
21. September 2022 / TrustNordisk

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The Hollywood Reporter: Cannes: Magnolia Pictures Takes U.S. Rights to…
27. May 2022 / The Hollywood Reporter / Scott Roxborough

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Screen Daily: Zentropa’s ‘King's Land’ goes to Magnolia for the…
27. May 2022 / Screen Daily / John Hazelton

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Variety: Magnolia Pictures Buys Mads Mikkelsen Starrer ‘King’s Land’…
27. May 2022 / Variety / Elsa Keslassy

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Deadline: Magnolia Acquires US On ‘King’s Land,’ Period Epic Reunites…
27. May 2022 / Deadline / Mike Fleming Jr

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PRESS RELEASE: MAGNOLIA PICTURES ACQUIRES U.S. RIGHTS FROM…
27. May 2022 / Magnolia Pictures

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Cineuropa: Zentropa-produced drama King’s Land to be toplined by Mads…
26. May 2022 / Cineuropa / Davide Abbatescianni

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Nordisk Film & TV Fond: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Arcel, Anders Thomas…
26. May 2022 / Nordisk Film & TV Fond / Annika Pham

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Screen Daily: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Arcel to reunite on period drama…
25. May 2022 / Screen Daily / Wendy Mitchell

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Variety: Mads Mikkelsen to Reunite with ‘A Royal Affair’ Helmer for…
25. May 2022 / Variety / Elsa Keslassy

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Deadline: Mads Mikkelsen Reunites With ‘A Royal Affair’ Director…
25. May 2022 / Deadline / Diana Lodderhose

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The Wrap: Mads Mikkelsen to Reunite With ‘A Royal Affair’ Director for…
25. May 2022 / The Wrap / Brian Welk

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The Hollywood Reporter: Cannes: Mads Mikkelsen Reunites With ‘A Royal…
25. May 2022 / The Hollywood Reporter / Scott Roxborough

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Press release: TRUSTNORDISK BOARDS NEW EPIC ZENTROPA-PRODUCED DRAMA…
25. May 2022 / TrustNordisk

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Presskit

Artwork

Artwork by Zentropa Productions / Danni Riddertoft
Festival Artwork by Zentropa Productions / Danni Riddertoft

Stills

© Henrik Ohsten 1 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 2 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 3 / Zentropa
© Christopher Aoun 4 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 5 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 6 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 7 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 8 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 9 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 10 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 11 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 12 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 13 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 14 / Zentropa
© Henrik Ohsten 15 / Zentropa
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Festival overview

Official Selection at the 80th Venice International Film Festival 2023

Official Selection at Telluride Film Festival 2023

Official Selection at Toronto International Film Festival 2023

Official Selection at San Sebastián International Film Festival 2023

Official Selection at Busan International Film Festival 2023

Selected for Zurich Film Festival 2023 

Selected for Filmfest Hamburg 2023 

Selected as Denmark's Official Oscar Entry 2024

Selected for European Film Awards 2023
Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Actor for Mads Mikkelsen

Selected for Evolution Mallorca Film Festival 2023
Awards: Best International Film, Best Cinematography, Best Actor for Mads Mikkelsen

Official Selection at the 65th Nordic Film Days Lübeck 2023

Selected for Santa Fe International Film Festival 2023
Award: Audience Choice Best Special Presentations Narrative Feature 

Official Selection for Palm Springs International Film Festival 2024
Awards: FIPRESCI, Best Actor for Mads Mikkelsen 

Official Selection at Göteborg Film Festival 2024 
Awards: FIPRESCI, Audience Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film 

Official Selection at Rotterdam International Film Festival 2024 

Robert Awards - The Danish Film Awards
Awards: Best Danish Feature Film, Best Adapted Screenplay (Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel), Best Actor (Mads Mikkelsen), Best Supporting Actor (Simon Bennebjerg), Best Production Design (Jette Lehmann), Best Cinematography (Rasmus Videbæk), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Sabine Schumann), Best Visual Effects (Alexander Schepelern, Nina Strøm)