Banned in Denmark

Denmark. The epicentre of free-mindedness. The citadel of free speech. We are extremely proud of being a nation, where we can say, do, show and see whatever we want. But is this really true in reality? We bring our focus here on those films, which for various reasons have been forbidden in this country of ours.

We have researched our way through history, and made a selection of material which, for different reasons, has been forbidden, hidden or suppressed in Denmark. From those earlier 8mm porno films, produced on the sly, before the legitimization of pictorial pornography, to films which today are regarded as timeless classics (the film noir adventure film, 'Night of the Hunter', the Hammer film, 'Horror of Dracula' and the Swedish rocker film, 'Det händer i natt') yet which, when they were to be released, were considered too provocative for a Danish audience. This also includes films, which were forbidden even before they were produced ('Jesus vender tilbage') or were under pressure to be phased out of Danish film production, such as the collectively directed 'Rockerfilmen', a film most worthy of re-discovery.

The films in this series can hardly be regarded today as morally depraved but, seen in the light of total censure, they bear witness to how the boundaries, for what is considered reprehensible, are constantly shifting. Seen with today's eyes, the set of forbidden pornographic short films ('Hud-forbud' = Forbidden Flesh), which we have selected, possess an naive charm and almost surreal beauty.

Similarly entertaining is the result of our thorough research in the TV archives, to find a suitable selection of those productions ('(D)DR') which, for various reasons, were put on ice. Censure or self-censure? Judge for yourselves.

Yet the jewel of our series is, without a doubt, the censorship film rolls, which we have dug out from a Danish archive. For many years, offensive scenes were eagerly censored out of films, anything from whips, nudity, shootings to violence, vulgarity and politically volatile agendas. But instead of ending on the cutting room floor or being destroyed, anonymous persons edited these cuts together on ever-growing 35mm spools. We are screening them, just as they are. Without interference and in their full length. We dare to promise an evening out of the ordinary, with this invitation to a symphonic roller coaster ride through forbidden territory.