The Promised Land — Official Trailer

added: Fri, Dec 15th '23

Mads Mikkelsen stars as an 18th-century Danish war hero in the official trailer for "The Promised Land," a historical drama that explores one man's unhinged journey in building a colony for the King.

In this movie, Mikkelsen reunites with acclaimed Danish filmmaker and screenwriter Nikolaj Arcel. They previously collaborated on the Oscar-nominated Danish drama "A Royal Affair." Arcel is also known for his involvement in the screenplay for the 2009 Swedish-Danish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Additionally, Arcel made an attempt to adapt Stephen King's beloved fantasy novel "The Dark Tower," resulting in a somewhat lackluster adaptation in 2017, with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey in leading roles, and Arcel directing and co-writing.

In "The Promised Land," Mikkelsen portrays Captain Ludvig Kahlen, a proud and ambitious war hero with limited means, embarking on a mission to build a colony on an extensive, seemingly inhospitable terrain where nothing appears to thrive. As he strives to secure a noble title for himself, the Captain's ambition gradually transforms into a form of tyranny, leading to conflicts with the local populace.

The film also co-stars Amanda Collin, Gustav Lindh, and Melina Hagberg.

"The Promised Land" has been chosen as Denmark's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Academy Awards and is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on February 2. Watch the trailer, above.

synopsis:
In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) -- a proud, ambitious, but impoverished war hero -- sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself. This beautiful but forbidding area also happens to be under the rule of the merciless Frederik De Schinkel, a preening nobleman who realizes the threat Kahlen represents to his power. Struggling against the elements and local brigands, Kahlen is joined by a couple who have fled the clutches of the rapacious De Schinkel. As this group of misfits begins to build a small community in this inhospitable place, De Schinkel swears vengeance, and the confrontation between him and Kahlen promises to be as violent and intense as these two men.

directed by Nikolaj Arcel

starring Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Gustav Lindh, Melina Hagberg

release date February 2, 2024 (in theaters)