The Hunt-2012

Director Thomas Vinterberg

Starring Mads Mikkelsen

Scott’s Review #29

Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

Nominated for the 2013 Best Foreign Language Oscar, this controversial Danish film, The Hunt (2012), centers on pedophilia and is powerful and gripping.

Mads Mikkelsen stars as a kindergarten teacher falsely accused of inappropriate behavior with a five-year-old female student.

This sets off a small-town witch hunt that stirred up emotions in me, mostly disdain for the fellow teachers and principal who so easily “gang up” on the teacher, seemingly unable to believe he may be innocent.

The principal blurts out “children never lie”.

Um, yes they do!

I love how the film goes deeper than the obvious content. The accused son is featured. The student is the accused best friend’s daughter.

When one supporter of the accused rips into the five-year-old, it is intense to watch.

The Hunt (2012) is a layered, multi-faceted film worth seeing.

The ending is great, but the alternate ending is even better, and I wish the director, Thomas Vinterberg, had used that instead; overall, it’s an exceptional film.

Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best International Film