THE KISS

With Esben Smed, David Dencik, Clara Rosager, Lars Mikkelsen

Director August (Oscar-awarded PELLE THE CONQUERER) adapts Stefan Zweig’s best-selling novel Beware of Pity as THE KISS.  In 1913 Denmark, as World War I is brewing, Anton (Smed), an aristocratic but penniless cavalry officer helps Baron Lovenskjold (Mikkelsen) out of a jam and earns a place as a favored guest at his castle.  Attracted to the baron’s vivacious niece but showering solicitous attention on Edith, his beautiful wheelchair-bound daughter, Anton is soon caught in a trap of his own making when the grateful young heiress mistakes kindness for love.  Demonstrating his signature talent for historical drama, August makes superb use of authentic Danish locations including the Ravnholt Estate and Lykkesholm Castle.  In Danish with English subtitles