LYKKA-PER/ A FORTUNATE LIFE
Denmark, 2018, 162 minutes, Colour.
Esben Smed, Katrine Greis- Rosenthal, Benjamin Kitter, Julie Christiansen, Tommy Kanter, Tammy Ost, Rasmus Berg.
Directed by Bille August.
For decades, writer-director, Bile August, has made a number of epic films including an Oscar for Pelle the Conqueror, House of the Spirits, and in 1998 version of Les Miserables.
This is a Danish story, the focus on a young man who comes from a Lutheran family, reacts against his upbringing, goes to Copenhagen, studies engineering, ingratiates himself into a Jewish family, marrying into it.
It is not a story of unlimited success. The young man succeeds, has ambitions to change the world, travels abroad to fulfil his dreams, has difficulties with his marriage.
The focus is on the transition from the 19th to the 20th century, changes in society, changes in business, challenges as well as failures.
1. The title? Per/Pete as lucky? His life, fortunes and misfortunes? Ironies?
2. The work of the director, his skill at period epics?
3. Denmark, the 19th century, the Danish countryside in Jutland, the city of Copenhagen, the University, government offices, apartments, cafes, the streets? Wealthy restaurants, the mansion, holiday houses? The comparison with Austria, the engineering locations? Life in Denmark in the 19th century? The musical score?
4. Per’s story? His age, getting the scholarship, the prospect at University, his anger at home, the meal, the severity of his father, no financial support, the offer of the gift of the watch and his continually rejecting it? His mother’s care for him? His brother in Copenhagen? His despising of his family background? The aim in going to Copenhagen, going to the University, listening to the lectures, building his projects? Getting the apartment, his landlady, payments? Wanting work, hungry? Going to the restaurant, the night’s work, the liaison with the waitress, her care for him, borrowing money from her, the sexual relationship? His snobbery towards her in the restaurant, his discarding of her after using her?
5. The introduction to Jacoby, at the synagogue, with her friend, the women upstairs, Eibert and his looking up at her? The family, their wealth? The younger sister and her enthusiasm? Ivan, genial, the encounter with Per, the discussions, the invitation home, the family influence, the younger sister’s attraction, the parents, business possibilities, the consortium?
6. Per, getting the new clothes, not paying? His pretence and pretentiousness? At the restaurants, ignoring the waitress? His visit to the Chief Engineer, the harshness, his military stances, Ivan’s support, the family support? His walking out?
7. The development of his ideas, for Denmark and prosperity, the business associates? The credibility of his work, the emphasis on energy, finance, islands and draining, natural energy? A new port? Meeting the consortium, there asking for his apology, his harsh stands, refusal, withdrawing, promising to pay the loan?
8. The visit by his brother, his father’s illness, his despising of his father, refusing to go to the funeral? His mother’s visit to the city, the gift of the watch? The discussion, neglecting her? Her death? The decision to go to the funeral? Its effect on him, the Minister, his daughter, time to reflect?
9. Meeting Jacoby, her character, the attraction, wealth, his ignoring the younger sister, setting his eyes on Jacoby, double values? His going to Austria, Ivan’s friend, the older adviser, his understanding Per? Learning in Austria?
10. Jacoby, her hopes, the discussions with her parents, the sexual relationship with Per, her pregnancy, going to the doctor, not telling Per, his absence, the discussions with her mother, going to her friend? The abortion?
11. His return, meeting with Jacoby, the break with her, his harsh manner, the effect?
12. His mother’s funeral, the Minister, the wise advice and listening to him, the attraction to the daughter, pondering the meaning of his life? Remaining?
13. The years passing, having a family, the treatment of his son, breaking the model, demanding an apology, becoming the image of his father? Local work? His son’s apology?
14. Jacoby, her disappointment, helping with the school, the prejudice against Jews? Her philanthropy, meeting with Eibert, not able to marry him? Her setting up the school? Some fulfilment in her life?
15. Per, the cancer, living as a hermit, leaving his family, the meeting with Jacoby, the affection between them, his donating everything to her school?
16. The irony of fortunate and unfortunate lives, and personal responsibilities, mistakes, possibility for redemption?
