Denmark has picked its 2024 Oscar candidate, selecting a period epic The promised land as the official Academy Award entry in the Best International Feature Film category.
In the drama, which premiered in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival, Mads Mikkelsen plays a driven man determined to cultivate the wild Danish heath, the last area of untamed wilderness in 18th-century Denmark. The film reunites Mikkelsen with director Nikolaj Arcel, whose last Danish feature, A royal affairreceived a nomination for best international feature film in 2013 (and introduced the world to Alicia Vikander).
Magnolia Pictures, which was also released A royal affair in the United States, has American rights thereto The promised land and plans a domestic theatrical release for the film on February 2, 2024.
The film debut was greeted with critical acclaim, including The Hollywood Reporter, who called it “a gripping historical epic.” Shows once again that period pieces can be powerful, powerful and emotionally moving,” likening Mikkelsen’s “magnetic stoicism, imposing physicality and soulful introspection” in the Scandinavian Western to “a character who might have felt at home in a John Ford -saga.”
The promised land co-stars Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg and Kristine Kujath Thorp. TrustNordisk handles international sales.
The deadline for submissions for the 2024 Oscar for Best International Feature Film is October 2. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the films on the 2024 Oscar shortlist on December 21. The five nominees will be announced on January 23. The Oscars will be presented on March 10 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
