It follows Karoline (Sonne), a young factory worker struggling to survive in post-WWI Copenhagen.
Deadlinesreviewcalled the film an unequivocal and beguiling triumph.
And what about the story grabbed you?
Getty/Mubi
So it was supported by Denmark, and was always meant to be a Danish film…
It just makes me a better filmmaker.
But before that, one part of me always wanted to make a horror film.
When I heard about this, it was something that scared me.
In my experience, you could lie at night and imagine horrible things, and its a dark hole.
DEADLINE: So, do you seek out projects that make you afraid or confront a fear?
Whether they be about the story or the actual process?
VON HORN:Both.
That came from being a new father, or being new at being a father.
And at the time, I had no real story for it.
And I remember Mariusz was like, Okay, lets not go there, its so dark.
No one cares about that.
They dont want to confront their fear; they would like to watch it in movies.
I dont have problems with working with my fears.
DEADLINE: What do you think before this film led you to believe in that?
VON HORN:The previous films I made have been some ideas inspired by true crime.
I dont have this fascination of gore or, you know, psychopathic behavior and brutality I hate it.
Its always a kind of a dare towards myself.
The human being is much more complex and good and bad than wed like to present it.
So when people say, Oh, this character is so dark and good and bad.
DEADLINE: How did you come to work with your actresses?
Was Trine Dyrholm the first wish for the part of Dagmar?
Shes very experienced and talented, and she felt the script was not ready yet.
That was very good motivation.
Ive always seen her as fearless, a fearless actress.
And this part, I think you better be fearless.
I could even see when the script was not on her level yet, she was intrigued by it.
Later, I found out she knows a great deal about the real person her character is based on.
So I think it was very interesting for her as well.
DEADLINE: Did that make for some enlightening conversations between the two of you?
So I thought of it more as a creation.
I didnt want to make a biopic on this character.
DEADLINE: Thats interesting becauseThe Lighthouseis a much more recent reference than the other two…
VON HORN:I wanted to mix it.
Its good to have different references from different times.
DEADLINE: And how did you settle on Vic Carmen Sonne to play Karoline?
I have this fear of always not finding my main actor.
So I always seek out the main actor very early.
That was really important for me, that there is a certain level of credibility.
I want to take the audience on a time travel.
Im maybe even surprised and happy about that surprise.
DEADLINE: It certainly lends a timely layer to the drama…
I say this film is like a science fiction to me.
You know, we use time travel to reflect something about our current world.
And if you find none, then good for you.
Does that kind of lend any extra pressure?
VON HORN:I dont feel pressured about it at all, I feel honored.
Ive always admired any Danish cinema.
Its nice to be part of it.
I didnt think about it before.
My life is a roller coaster of in and out of confidence.
But it was never something I would expect not having had that premiere.
Just as a human, I rely on the praise of others to survive.
