14/03/2006

2005 was a record year for Danish films with 4m admissions at home and a 32.4% market share, the highest since 1977 and one of the strongest domestic market shares across Europe. In comparison, Swedish domestic films had a 22.5% market share, Norway 14%, Germany 17.1%, and Holland 13.6%

According to Danmarks Statistik, overall admissions remained stable at 12.2m, approximately the same level they have been for the past four years. The 5% drop from 2004 was minimal compared to the average 11% decrease in cinema-going across Europe and the 12% drop in other Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Finland.

The ability of a range of Danish filmmakers, including Susanne Bier, Anders Tomas Jensen, Tomas Villum Jensen and Per Fly, to connect with local audiences and a diversity of genres have proved a successful combination in Denmark over the last five years. Among the 31 new Danish releases, no less than three films were at the Top 5 and six in the Top 10 in 2005.

The biggest hit last year (with 495,614 admissions) was the family film Father of Four by Claus Bjerre, inspired by a popular film series of the 50s and 60s. The film was produced by ASA Film Production. The second most popular film (with 394,893 admissions) was Jonas Elmer’s Nynne, produced by Angel Production and based on a best-selling novel. Per Fly’s award-winning drama Manslaughter [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (produced by Zentropa) had 387,3154 admissions, Anders Thomas Jensen’s black comedy Adam’s Apples [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Anders Thomas Jensen
interview: Mads Mikkelsen
interview: Tivi Magnusson
film profile] (produced by M&M) 354,456, and Tomas Villum Jensen’s romantic comedy The Sun King (produced by Thura Film) sold 347,852 tickets.

2006 also looks very promising, with Susanne Bier’s new drama After the Wedding, currently number one at the Danish box office with 208,029 admissions from 67 screens in two weeks, and Kasper Barfoed’s children’s film The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar, number five with 185,319 admissions on 79 screens.

Top 10 admissions 2005

Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire: 623,656
Father of Four: 495,614
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith 437,656
Nynne 394,893
Manslaughter 387,315
Madagascar 385,456
Adam’s Apples 354,241
The Sun King 347,852
Downfall [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bernd Eichinger
interview: Joachim Fest
interview: Oliver Hirschbiegel
film profile] 336,063
Oskar & Josefine 249,777