Screenplay:
Anders Thomas JensenCinematography:
Eric KressComposer:
Johan SöderqvistCast:
Esben Smed, Toby Kebbell, Anders W. Berthelsen, Sofie Torp, Christiane Gjellerup Koch, Ellaha Lack, Charlie Carrick, Sara Hjort Ditlevsen, Amir El-Masry (more)VOD (1)
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Based on an internationally bestselling book by Danish journalist Puk Damsgård, Daniel tells the true story of one of the most spectacular kidnappings in recent times. The protagonist is the young Danish photojournalist Daniel Rye who was held hostage for 398 days in Syria by the terror organization Islamic State, along with several other foreign nationals including the American journalist James Foley. The film follows Daniel’s struggle to survive in captivity, his friendship with James, and the nightmare of the Rye family back home in Denmark as they try to cope with the fear that they may never see their son alive again. At the center of this crisis, we find hostage negotiator, Arthur, who plays a pivotal role in securing Daniel’s release. (Santa Barbara International Film Festival)
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These Danish filmmakers have succeeded in creating an extremely intense and realistic movie where every minute counts. The gripping story of photojournalist Daniel Rye makes you think about what is really important in life. My great admiration and appreciation goes to all journalists and photographers who voluntarily go to dangerous areas and war-torn countries to give the free world an eyewitness account of the inhuman conditions and often very horrific events there. Without their courage and determination, we would often have no idea what atrocities are being committed around the world. (85%)
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The Nordic triple combo of Denmark-Sweden-Norway serves up a very oppressive and stifling drama from an uncomfortable setting and it is as expected a blast! The main character is Daniel, who starts working as a photographer and gets an offer to go to Syria to document the lives of the locals. There he is captured by Islamists and the biggest nightmare of his life begins. The film has a very distressing atmosphere if only because of the harsh environment of Syria where Daniel is held, tortured and abused by terrorists who want a large ransom for him. If you think you'll be relieved at the change of scenery to Denmark, you're out of luck. For there, the family mourns the fact that they will never see their son again and is desperate to raise the ransom money, with the help of a local kidnapping expert. Both storylines have a strong emotional charge, a stifling atmosphere and there are tears in the finale. Quality based on true events. Recommended. Story*****, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence***, Entertainment****, Music***, Visual****, Atmosphere*****, Suspense****. 8.5/10.
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A movie based on a book written from true events that are still relevant today. Filmed by a director who has just returned from overseas, hat in hand, still covered in tar and feathers. The cards couldn't be dealt any worse. I remain mystified by the need to follow big stories where we know from the start that the hero is going to get away with it, we just get to watch him get brutalized for thirteen months, all spiced up by the fact that the wounds here are still too fresh for any revision or retreat from the simple strong story of the hero who endures. What was most interesting, then, were the passages with the ex-soldier delivering a ransom note in the desert outside Aleppo in the morning, meeting the family of the missing man in Copenhagen for lunch, and movingly breaking down at a funeral in New Hampshire that evening. The rest may be reality, but cinematically it’s run of the mill. Life sucks. Plus, I spent half the movie expecting Scott Adkins to somehow kick everybody thing and run away, only to find out that Adkins wasn't even in it. Sadness.
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Gallery (34)
Photo © Nordisk Film Denmark
![Daniel - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/164/558/164558443_630cf9.jpg)
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