In 1755, the impoverished Captain Ludvig Kahlen sets out to conquer the harsh, uninhabitable Danish heath with a seemingly impossible goal; to build a colony in the name of the King. In exchange, he’ll receive a desperately desired Royal name for himself. But the sole ruler of the area, the merciless Frederik de Schinkel, arrogantly believes this land belongs to him. When De Schinkel learns that the maid Ann Barbara and her serve husband have escaped for refuge with Kahlen, the privileged and spiteful ruler swears revenge.
Born in Copenhagen (Denmark) in 1972, debuted as a director with ‘King’s Game’ (2004), winner of 8 Danish Academy Robert Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. This was followed by ‘Island of Lost Souls’ (2007) and ‘The Truth About Men’ (2010). ‘A Royal Affair’ (2012) landed the Golden Bear for Best Screenplay at Berlin plus a Best Foreign Film Academy Award nomination. In 2017 he directed his first movie in the USA, ‘The Dark Tower’. His work as a screenwriter includes ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (Niels Arden Oplev, 2009). ‘The Promised Land’ received a Signis Award Special Mention at the Venice Festival.