The Celebration (1998) poster3

Denmark10 Essential Danish FilmsStop 3 of 10

The Celebration

Festen

1998

At a lavish gathering to celebrate a wealthy patriarch's sixtieth birthday, the eldest son rises to deliver a toast that detonates a long-buried family secret, turning the party into a battleground of truth and denial. A searing Dogme 95 drama.

Why it’s here

The breakthrough Dogme 95 film joined formal innovation to a devastating Danish family drama.

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Part of 10 Essential Danish Films

This film is stop 3 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Denmark. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

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