A new Danish film portrays the journey of a veteran facing post-traumatic stress disorder and rebuilding his life. In “Hercules Falls,” former soldier Morten Klejnstrup steps into the spotlight to play a version of himself as the story sheds light on recovery, identity, and hope.
A Veteran Reclaims His Story On Screen
The newly released film *Hercules Falls* has quickly drawn attention in Denmark for its raw and realistic portrayal of veterans living with trauma. The lead role, Youssef, is played by Dar Salim, who also served as co-director of the production. Opposite him, Morten Klejnstrup takes on the challenging role of portraying himself, revisiting painful memories from his own service in Afghanistan.
Filming primarily took place on the small island of Strynø in southern Denmark, where a nature retreat once offered rehabilitation programs for veterans. It was there, years earlier, that Klejnstrup received help dealing with his PTSD. The island and its quiet landscape became not only a setting for the film but a symbol of recovery.
Life After War
Klejnstrup joined the Danish Armed Forces as soon as he was old enough, fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a soldier. After two deployments to Afghanistan as a medic, his return home in 2009 marked the beginning of an invisible battle with trauma. Although he appeared fine to those around him, he struggled with breakdowns, anxiety, and difficulty connecting with his loved ones.
While trying to keep his job and family life intact, he began to spiral. Episodes of chest pain sent him to the hospital, where doctors suspected a heart issue. When tests revealed nothing physical, a physician asked about his deployments. That moment opened the path to confronting his mental health for the first time.
Eventually, through Denmark’s Veterans Center, he was referred to the rehabilitation retreat on Strynø. The center’s approach focused on simple, grounding tasks—feeding chickens, tending to animals, or maintaining the property. Small steps helped him rebuild purpose and structure after years of chaos.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Director Christian Bonke and screenwriter Marianne Lentz crafted *Hercules Falls* as a blend of fiction and truth, incorporating real veterans who reenact parts of their own recovery. Alongside Morten Klejnstrup, other veterans such as Thomas Abrigo Toustrup appear in major roles. Even the retreat’s founders, Anne-Line Ussing and Stuart Press, play themselves.
The film’s complex mix of professional performance and lived experiences gives it a rare authenticity. Salim’s character, Youssef, mirrors many veterans’ struggles with guilt, loss, and the feeling of alienation from civilian life. Because of that, Klejnstrup felt compelled to be part of the project, despite how emotionally draining it would be to revisit his past.
Finding Strength Beyond the Screen
Today, Klejnstrup’s life looks very different. Living in East Jutland, he is medically retired but works part-time maintaining a winter bathing club. More importantly, he has reconnected with his children and regained stability. Still, he continues to live with PTSD and acknowledges that flashbacks and anxiety remain part of daily life.
His participation in *Hercules Falls* has come with both pride and exhaustion. A demanding schedule of film festivals and interviews tests his endurance, yet he believes the film’s message is worth the effort. For him, showing vulnerability is a kind of resistance against the “macho culture” within the military that often stigmatizes seeking help.
He hopes the film encourages Danish veterans to reach out for support and to see therapy not as weakness but as a step toward healing. Access to professional mental health care remains essential, especially through resources such as therapy services in Denmark designed for those coping with trauma.
A Shared Mission
Although he left the army years ago, Klejnstrup still identifies as a soldier, just fighting a different kind of battle now. “Hercules Falls” reflects this new mission—turning experiences of pain into solidarity and understanding among those who have served.
Given the film’s positive reception, both audiences and critics have noted its honest depiction of how recovery unfolds slowly and unevenly. The collaboration between veterans and artists has created not only an impactful film but also a meaningful dialogue in Denmark about the realities of PTSD.
Sources and References
DR: Veteranen Morten fik PTSD og mistede alt. Nu spiller han sig selv i ny film
The Danish Dream: Dar Salim – Danish Actor and Filmmaker
The Danish Dream: Best Therapists in Denmark for Foreigners
