The Hunt - Thomas Vinterberg
The hunt is a gripping and intense film that follows the plight of Lucas – Mads Mikkelsen (Rogue One & Hannibal) after he is accused of child molestation. The story is riveting to the final scene. Mads deserved the Best Actor award at Cannes.
I’m a huge fan of Mads’ ability to play such a variety of roles but it is here we see his full skills brought to bear. The screenplay is second to none and we have Tobias Lindholm (A Hijacking & R: Hit First, Hit Hardest) and Thomas Vinterberg (Festen & Druk) to thank for this.
What is so important in this film is that every word and action is believable and we can understand the motive. If suspension of disbelief was ever broken the entire film would come crashing down.
Not For The Faint Hearted
If you hadn’t already guessed the subject matter of this film is not for the faint hearted. This is made doubly clear when there is full frontal male nudity in the first scene.
The ongoing and sometimes graphic description of child molestation will definitely not be everyone’s cup of tea. But this is never gratuitous. Every scene and story has an important role to play in the overall narrative. Just a word of warning.
Klara's Power
Klara, Annika Wedderkopp (Man Divided) is one of the children in Lucas’ class at the local school. She has a crush on him – though she is so young she doesn’t really understand what any of these things mean. The whole story begins with an innocent lie to the principal of the school.
What is key in this film is Klara’s motives and believability. Klara professes her love to Lucas and Lucas rejects her advances but the doubt has already been placed in the mind of the principal. Klara eventually comes clean to her mother later in the story – but the horse has already bolted. Her mother refuses to believe her now even though she was hanging on every word of the lie.
Much later on in the film Klara is having a dream about Fanny (Lucas’ dog – which she often visted). Her father is watching her from the shadows of the doorway. Klara wakes and sees the shadow and says ‘Lucas?’ – because of the association of the dream of Lucas’ dog. This however, seals Lucas’ fate in the mind of Klara’s father. Masterful moments like this are used to illustrate Klara’s power over the town.
Unconscionable Conduct
Grethe, Susse Wold (Unit One & Charles’ Aunt), is the director of the preschool. She is the first to doubt Lucas – and give Klara’s lie a life of its own. She then brings in an investigator who puts extremely leading questions to Klara – concocting a story in her mind – and Grethe sits by lapping it up.
There are two further steps she takes that are completely inexcusable. She calls Lucas’ ex-wife and tells her about the allegation – putting in doubt Lucas’ ability to see his son. She also presents the allegation to the parents of the school as fact.
I understand where her motives come from – wanting to protect the children – but the witch hunt that ensues is largely her fault and the steps she takes all but destroy Lucas’ life.
The Child Is Key
Klara’s every move become the focus of analysis by everyone in the community. After the accusation she continues to visit Lucas to see his dog. At this visit she flinches slightly when Lucas is there. This gives Lucas’ girlfriend reason to doubt Lucas. Klara realises, to some degree what she has caused, and trying to fix things is nigh impossible for such a young child.
Lucas has the child at the front of his mind – always. Even as the town turns on him he doesn’t ever turn on Klara. He is concerned about the impact that all of this will have on her.
There is an incredible scene towards the end of the film after Lucas is exonerated and they are all gathered for a hunting party. He sees Klara for the first time for a long while. Lucas realises all eyes are on this interaction – and understands how important it is in terms of how the community views him. But rather than protecting himself and not engaging he is concerned for Klara. He doesn’t want it to be awkward for her given how bad she feels so he is lovely to her and comforting – makes her feel ok – despite the consequences for himself.
Turn Up The Tension
Lucas is arrested and after extensive questioning the police release him – they cannot charge him – there is no evidence. This is the point where the community is the most terrifying. They are certain of Lucas’ guilt and now that the police have released him they feel that they have to take the law into their own hands.
Fanny, his dog, is murdered. The irony here is that it is likely to upset Klara just as much as it upsets Lucas. Lucas is ostracised and beaten.
The final scene when they are out on the hunt someone shoots at Lucas and as he turns we see their silhouette in the sun – it could be anyone. Lucas’ life has changed forever. There will always be someone who believes he did it.
