PUSHER

Denmark, 1996, 110 minutes, Colour.
Kim Bodnia, Mads Mikkelsen, Laura Dresbaek.
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.

Pusher has gained a considerable reputation since its first release in 1996. it was the cinema calling card, so to speak, for the writer and director, Nicolas Winding Refn, only in his 20s. This was a hard-hitting, visual film in its themes as well as its in its hand-held camera style and the vigourous and aggressive musical score top.

It starred Kim Bodnia, a powerful screen presence in Denmark at the period. His friend was played by Mads Mikkelsen, on the verge of a very successful career and international fame.

The film shows the seedy Copenhagen, drug dealing, the locals caught up in this drug world, the effect on their lives, relationships. It also highlights the influence of Eastern European criminals, a scene that was to develop in many films from Europe and, in extension, from the US.

There were two sequels and a British remake in 2010. Nicholas Winding Raffin directed them both. Trained for a time in the United States, he was at home in English-language films including Fear X, Brosnan, with his growing reputation for Drive and Only God Forgives.

1. The reputation of the film? Cult film? The beginning of the director’s successful career?

2. A very strong and tough film, the sequels, the British remake?

3. Danish cinema in the 1990s? The director and his career? The Danish settings, the seedy aspects of Copenhagen, the drug world, prostitution, violence, Eastern European criminals, local criminals?

4. The tough style of filmmaking, the story, performances, issues? Visual and forceful? The choice of musical score, punk music, aggressive?

5. The time span, action over one week, the intensity, Frank’s character, situation, his being pursued by criminals demanding money, police investigation, trying to raise money for his debts?

6. Frank, a sociopath, his character? In the world of drugs? His personality, prone to violence? Friendship with Tommy? The relationship with Vic? The difficulties of intimacy? Love? His experience in the drug world? Dealing? The stock, on credit? The amount of cash? The police, the investigation? Getting rid of the drugs in the sea? Milo and his demands? The police and the not having enough evidence to keep Frank? The ruthlessness of his attempts to raise money?

7. The range of characters, Tonny, Vic, criminal friends, the drug bosses, from Eastern Europe? People caught up in this drug world?

8. The character of Vic, as a prostitute, personality, the reason for being with Frank? His dealings with her, her love, his lack of emotion in his relationship?

9. Tonny, friend, associate, the drugs, Frank thinking he had informed to the police, bashing him?

10. Indebted to Milo, the drug lord, his henchmen, the types, the brutal stances, standard the tactics?

11. Frank’s visit to his mother, another insight into his character?

12. An ugly world, presented enthusiastically with cinematic verve?