THE PACT/ PAGTEN

Denmark, 2021, 117 minutes, Colour.

Birthe Neumann, Simon Bennebjerg, Nanna Skaarup Voss, Asta August, Anders Heinrichsen, Marie Mondrup.

Directed by Bille August.

A pact can signify some arrangement for peace. There can also be Faustian overtones, a pact with the devil. This film emphasises the latter.

The central character is Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen her pen name), Danish, living in Africa, writing about Africa, her book, Out of Africa very well known from the Oscar-winning film by Sidney Pollack, 1985. She was also the author of another Oscar-winning film story, Babette’s feast.

This film is directed by veteran Danish director, Bille  August, noted for such films as: Pelle the Conqueror, House of the Spirits, Best Intentions, Les Miserables.

This is the story of a young poet a talented writer, married with a young child, possibilities for future success. He is played by Simon Bennebjerg (who was convincing as a violently smug villain in The Promised Land). He is taken up by Karen Blixen, now returned from Africa, unwell, moving in a literary set, but wanting to become a patron of a successful writer. She proposes an arrangement whereby she finances him, gives him opportunity is one for writing. She calls it a pact and requires absolute mutual trust. Complications arise because of his love for his wife and small child. The Baroness also manipulates his absences from his wife whom she dislikes. She also arranges for him to go to study in Bonn, setting up a possible affair with the author and one of her friends.

Birth e Neumann is powerful as the Baroness. She is self-absorbed, has a certain ruthlessness, enjoys exercising her domination of the author.

This is a strong Danish story but also a story about writing and creativity, patronage, and manipulation and mutual dependency.

1. Audience knowledge of Karen Blixen, about Africa, her life, relationship, writings?
2. The title, the young writer, his being chosen by the Baroness, the patronage, her control, the pact and its terms, her need, the effect on the author, on his wife? Growing sinister? Faustian?
3. The character of Karen Blixen, the references to the past, her experience of Africa, Out of Africa, its success, her relationship with Dennis, pilot, love, his death? Her writings? Retirement home, affluence, lifestyle, her friends, the art world, hosting dinners? Age, health?
4. The introduction to Thorkild, his age, relationship with his wife, the baby? His writing, poetry? Some acclaim? The encounter with the Baroness, being floated, her circle, Benedicte and Knud? Benedicte allegedly reading the manuscript and recommending it? His not being comfortable in this circle? Riding his bike?
5. The impact of the mansion, the facade, the grounds, interiors? Riding his bike? The contrast with his ordinary home and street?
6. The pact, the Baroness and her intentions, her needs, power, the touch of Svengali? Thorkild, his response, being flattered, the temptation, the conditions, the demand for mutual trust? His wife and her hesitation? His having to go to live with the Baroness, seclusion, his writing? In fact his succeeding? Writing better, the Baroness and her response? The meals, his wife coming to the meals, the Baroness, some friendliness, yet disdain?
7. The Baroness’s companion, her influence, presence?
8. The Baroness, the greater control, her vision for his life, without his wife, her keeping him down? The advice to have an affair? The desire to move him, opportunities, going to Bonn, discussing with his wife, his going, the communications, the Baroness sending Benedicte? The company, touring together, talking, the sexual encounter, the consequences? Benedicte, her relationship with Knud, the break, her eventually going to England?
9. Thorkild, his return, the tensions with his wife, the injury, hospital, recovery?
10. The Baroness, the effect of her control, her protégé, amoral/immoral? Taking the role of the devil in the Faustian pact? Her health, the aftermath?
11. Thorkild, his success in writing, being tempted, the effect of the pact, it is yearning for wife and child? A final resolution?