KOLLEKTIVET/ THE COMMUNE

Denmark, 2016, 111 minutes, Colour.
Ulrich Thomsen, Trine Durholm, Fares Fares, Lars Ranthe, Martha Sofie Wallstrom Hansen, Helene Reingaard Neumann.
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg.

The Commune is based on some memories of the writer-director, Thomas Vinterberg. Vinterberg had been one of the early associates of Lars von Trier and the Dogme proclamation of the 1990s to make films with purity, naturalistically, using only natural light, relying on plot, performance and basic techniques of filmmaking.

Those who proclaimed the Dogme Manifesto moved on to more traditional as well as more adventurous ways of filmmaking. Vinterberg made a number of feature films in his native Denmark, but he also ventured into the international field, especially in Britain with his version John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tinker, Soldier, Spy and an impressive remake of Far From the Making Crowd.

He returns here to Denmark, going back to 1970s in the aftermath of the hippie movement and flower power and many people professing great faith in commune living.


Erik (Ulrich Thomsen) is an architect working on a harbour project. He inherits a house from his father (of whom he has bad memories from his childhood) and goes with his wife and daughter to inspect the house with the intention of selling it. His wife wants to not only to keep it but has the idea of establishing a commune, his daughter agreeing, but it is something which is not congenial at all to Erik.

Nevertheless, various friends move in and the commune is set up. Members are interviewed as to whether they should become part of the commune, rules and regulations are established, meetings are determined to discuss issues. Everyone takes a turn to cook meals. It seems to seem suit most of the people – except for Erik, who spends a lot of time at work and at lectures at the University where he is harsh in manner, scoffing at some of the students, and reprimanded by another student to whom he is physically and sexually attracted, and she to him. They start an affair.

The relationship is kept secret but is unexpectedly discovered by the daughter, Erik trying to give some explanation and ultimately explaining it to his wife. The question arises whether he should stay in the commune, whether his wife should leave, whether she should stay and the student admitted to be part of the commune. The wife seems to take this situation in her stride but is really deeply affected. This also has repercussions on the daughter who is attracted to a school student and begins a sexual liaison with him.

Ultimately, it is the wife who has to make decisions, whether she stay or whether she goes. This is a huge burden on her as it was her idea in the first place to start the commune. The crisis gives an opportunity, dramatically, for Erik to burst out in anger and some desperation at all that has happened to him and for his wife also to have an angry outburst.

On the one hand, this going back more than 40 years seems a touch anachronistic now, part of the world of the 1970s. On the other hand, it is a reminder of many aspects of human nature, relationships and difficulties in relationships, human foibles, especially when people try to live together.

Tryne Durholm won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of the wife at the 2016 Berlinale.

1. A Scandinavian story? The 1970s and memories?

2. Danish production, Copenhagen settings? The house, the interiors? The academic world? The television world? The musical score, the range of songs, The Yellow Brick Road…?

3. The title, the attitudes of the 1960s and 70s, the touch of the hippie? Communes, freedom, people living together, sharing, loving? Suiting some, not others? The crisis for this commune – but not originating from the nature of the commune itself?

4. The setting, the house, Eric inheriting it, growing up there, resenting his father Western Mark the big price, his wanting to sell? Anna and Frazier wanting to stay, testing out the noise, tricking Eric?

5. The proposal, and making the decision, the love for each other, the sexual encounter, the bond? Her telephoning Of all, his arrival, Stephane and Titter, their son? Mona? The arrival of:? The range of characters and personalities, different attitudes, the procedures for the commune, voting, or Boom for passing? Details of life, the meals and cooking, sharing, obeying the rules, having the meetings? The issues of the beer and people not ticking? Buying the washing machine? Who is in two is out? The vibrant life, symbolised by the naked swim?

6. Eric is an architect, teacher, his project and its details for the harbour? As classes, his humiliating the young student? M arriving, her response? Third year but Eric not knowing her? His hard comments to her, who listening? The kiss, the beginning of the affair, the scenes together, Freya finding them at home, his reaction, confessing to Freya, telling Anna, her reaction, calm at first but then the hurt going deeper?

7. Eric and his staying within the commune, amorous staying, the issue of whether Emma would be accepted?

8. Freya, with the girls, the attraction to Peter, the approach, kissing, he and his inviting in immediately, sex, the visits? Peter coming to the commune? The two together at the end?

9. Anna and her television career, competent, celebration of her birthday, Eric and Freya coming to the studio? The repercussions of bricks infidelity?

10. Emma, coming to the commune, meeting everyone, the discussion on the vote, her being accepted? The room and accommodation? Anna and her new hearing the noise of the sexual activity? The support of the commune, going to the television, the importance of the interview, Cambodia, the freezing of the camera? Her anger, the boss, losing her job? Whether to stay in the commune or not? The final outburst?

11. Emma, 24, deliberately accepting the affair, relationship with Eric, with Anna, staying?

12. Eric, the pressure of his project, his coming home, losing his temper, shouting, fainting?

13. The time limit, Anna and her drinking, with Freya, the outburst to the group? Sobering, leaving, finding a new house?

14. The little boy, telling everyone he had good dead would be dead by nine? His jealousy of Freya and Peter? Sudden death, the funeral, scattering his ashes?

15. The aftermath for everyone and for the commune?