The Danish film “Kvinde ukendt” by director May el-Toukhy premiered Sunday in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival, where Danish and international critics praised the drama and its lead actress Mathilde Arcel.
According to DR, the film screened for the first time on Sunday at the international festival in Venice. It is the first Danish feature since 2023 to compete for the festival’s main prize, the Golden Lion.
The film is directed by May el-Toukhy, who previously made “Dronningen”. Mathilde Arcel and Carsten Bjørnlund play the lead roles. Per Venezia News, the world premiere took place in the Venezia 83 competition in the Sala Grande.
DR reports that the story follows young Marie, who in May 1945 is about to marry an older, well-regarded widower. Beneath the seemingly idyllic surface lies a secret that could destroy her plans. Venezia News describes the film as a post-World War II drama in which Marie’s past relationship with a German soldier threatens her future.
Critics respond
The Danish culture outlet Soundvenue gave the film five out of six stars. As noted by the site, the only flaw is perhaps that the film sits too obviously on the right side of history, but it brings its frightening chapter vividly to life.
The British newspaper The Guardian awarded four out of five stars, calling it a painful portrait of survival and a well-assembled drama. The film site IndieWire gave a grade of B+ rather than stars and singled out Mathilde Arcel. At Variety, the reviewer did not award stars, but described Arcel as a compelling anchor in a provocative yet predictable film.
DR notes that Danish feature films have historically had a small presence in the main competition in Venice. That changed in 2023 with Nikolaj Arcel’s “Bastarden”, featuring Mads Mikkelsen and Simon Bennebjerg among its cast.
This year’s edition of the festival runs until September 12. “Kvinde ukendt” is expected to open in Danish cinemas on February 4, 2027. The film is also among the candidates to become Denmark’s entry in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars in 2027, with the decision due at the end of September.
