Denmark’s submission for this year’s Foreign Language Oscar is a gripping World War II drama. This little known, true story takes place just after the surrender of Germany in May 1945 and follows a group of young German prisoners-of-war who have been handed over to Danish authorities. They are sent to the west coast where they are ordered to dig up with their bare hands more than a million live landmines, placed by the Germans along the sandy beach. They’re at the mercy of Danish Sargent (Roland Moller), who’s filled with loathing and contempt for the terrified boys, holding them personally responsible for their country’s atrocities during the war. Featuring stunning cinematography and strong performances, Director Martin Zandvliet has deftly crafted a powerful anti-war film that is both a suspenseful thriller and a heart-wrenching human story. (Running Time: 100 minutes)
