DRUKMads Mikkelsen stars in comedic drama Another Round, in cinemas today. Photo: Supplied.
Actor Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) and filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg (Festen), Danish collaborators on the amazing 2012 film The Hunt, reteam for this alternately joyous and mordant movie about the alarming approach some friends employ to tackle mid-life malaise.
Mikkelsen stars as Martin, one of four high school teachers lamenting the lack
of lustre in their lives. When one cites a psychiatrist who theorised that humans are born with a blood alcohol content deficiency, they all agree to follow his teachings and proceed to microdose booze throughout the work day, maintaining a low level of intoxication in the name of loosening up and embracing life.
The methodology has encouraging results in the short-term – Martin rediscovers his passion for teaching history and his students benefit. But as you can probably imagine, the situation inevitably get messy.
Based on its portrayal here, the alcohol culture in Denmark - where the drinking age is 16 - is very similar to that of New Zealand, lending the film a particular pertinence for Kiwis. This may result in some uncomfortable self-reflection for certain viewers.
But Another Round is not a straight-forward "booze is evil" film at all. Rather, it uses a culture of binge-drinking to examine happiness, gratitude and the way life never quite lives up to our expectations.
