By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Thea Hvistendahl
Starring: Anders Danielsen Lie | Bahar Pars | Bjørn Sundquist | Denise Trankalis | Renate Reinsve
Original language title: Håndtering av udøde
Year: 2024
Running time: 97
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2118648/reference/
Julie says: “It had been a long day, having arrived at the Coolidge at 4:30 pm for MY OWN NORMAL, then seeing the heart string tugging SING SING and most of the Q&A for that. As I was almost exiting the theater, I asked if they had indeed started Handling the Undead awhile ago, as scheduled. They said no, that they were waiting for people in SING SING, so I had no excuse but to scan in and take a ballot. I could always leave early if things weren’t to my liking (and the 1 hour 37 minute film started close to 10:00 pm).
“From the start, the cinematography and music in this film were incredible and of such high quality, I was drawn in immediately. I was then introduced to 5 unknown (to me) excellent actors, especially Bjorn Sunquist as Mahler the father/ grandfather and Bahar Pars as Eva the mother/wife. Bente Borsum as Tora the wife was also great but her performance was much quieter as she had no other non – deceased family members to interact with. The kids played by Insea Daukstra and Kian Hansen were also great.
“The two known actors, Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie put in their usual electric and brilliant performances, with Renate really standing out in this one.
“The story was good, with things that made me jump and gasp even though I had seen them in the beginning portion of trailer I watched (which I advise not watching too far). However there was one disturbing element that I wish I would have known about before-hand.
“Disturbing visions and sounds (combined with the content) will be etched in my mind for a very long time, possibly forever. Akin to Linda Blair’s head spinning around in THE EXORCISTt but more subtle (perhaps), other than in one case.
“Needless to say I did stay till the end of the film. I needed to know what would happen, and all was resolved, at least as far as I needed to know. The film did make one think about the different places in life these three families were in, and how best to ‘handle’ their own unique situation. 4 cats”
Peg replies: “oh yes, I really loved this one! Thank you for reminding me of it.”