It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The first must-see film of the year.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

It is Helge 60th birthday and a lavish celebration is being held, with a host of guests. His three children - Christian, Helene and Michael - come from afar for the occasion but it is soon obvious that the family is hardly a harmonious, happy one. Hanging over the occasion is the recent suicide of Christian's twin sister, Linda. Then, during the toasts at the dinner, Christian drops a bombshell.Brilliant drama from Danish director Thomas Vinterberg. Immediately engrossing, with well-developed characters, each with their own unique peculiarities, and a high level of engagement. Very interesting plot, with Christian's revelation kicking the intrigue up several notches. It doesn't let up from then on out.Clever camerawork from Vinterberg. Many of the shots give a home-movie feel, heightening the candid, family atmosphere, and providing a touch of irony, considering how the plot develops.The ending may feel anti-climactic but anything more would have been unnecessary and would just have diluted the brilliance of the movie.Solid performances all round, with Ulrich Thomsen, as Christian, the pick of the lot.Thomas Vinterberg went on to direct two more masterpieces: Submarino (in 2010) and The Hunt (in 2012). However, the first indication of his genius was here, Festen.

What an intense movie. Already in the first scene with the younger brother throwing his own wife and kids out of the car in a rather rude way, it becomes obvious that this movie will not meet the usual standards of etiquette.As the movie sticks to the rules of the Dogma 95 manifesto, the whole shooting was done by hand-held cameras. The hence somewhat shaky pictures may be a bit irritating in the beginning but at the same time, they make one feel being very close to the action and the unusual visual angles that become possible by using this technique, draw into the movie. Also, be aware that the movie does not use any background music, which is another concession to the Dogma 95 rules.The most shocking element of the movie probably is not the unadorned disclosure of the committed pedophilia itself but the fact that the whole pretending of being a family with respect for each other is an utter lie and has been for a very long time. It is only conventions of behavior that helped to keep up appearances. Especially the mother is living in her own world of negating the undeniable facts that once were presented to her very own eyes.Then, while some hard-boiled spectator may still shrug his shoulders thinking, that every family has its black sheep and maybe also its obnoxious Boor like the younger brother Michael, the whole evening party starts singing a racist song which is directed towards the black boyfriend of the daughter. Although this happens under the influence of alcohol, one could reply that alcohol only reveals the real character of people, ending in the conclusion that great parts of society are corrupted in a certain way. Some spectator may be able to relate to similar events in his own family background and start feeling uncomfortable about it. Still the movie is not all negative since there are also some pleasant characters like the waitress Pia (plaid by a young Trine Dyrholm) who is in love with the elder son of the family. At the end of the movie her affection is being answered and there is even hope that they both will live a happy life in Paris.For all those, who are looking for a feel-good movie, please go a long way round this one but for all those who fancy exposures of a complacent bourgeoisie, this is a must see.

I watched this brave movie last night and thought it was fantastic in that the subject matter of how the painful realities of growing up in a family like this were brought to light in a creative way. It was brilliant in how this is attained and how important a film like this is for those who are silenced and hold the burden of growing up in these so called families where they are the victims and totally unbelieved when broaching the subject of this type of abuse. This is an important film for the future of humanity and celebrating that the TRUTH will set us free. I thank the writer and producer of the film for touching people in a way where the reality of this abuse is exposed. I also feel it is good film to give to friends and supportive people who are helping a loved one who has survived this and is healing. I admire these low budget films where it isn't about the money to produce it. It creates more of a dynamic and focus of human relations instead of all the props and fantasy. Bravo!

When I saw Jagten (by the same director) I immediately looked for other movies of his and saw this highly rated movie. The movie starts off pretty slow with out much drama/action and I did not understand what was happening at one time but man did it pick up after that.After the first speech I was left with my mouth open thinking what just happened? And then I was absorbed fully . Thomas Vintenberg's direction was spectacular . After watching Festen I was thoroughly disappointed in the quality of movies that are coming out now . Vintenberg achieved with a hand-held camera what many acclaimed directors could not achieve with the world at their feet(in terms of money/ resources) . Watch Festen and enjoy the power of great story telling.