Zentropa demands that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security immediately remove a video using scenes from “Another Round,” featuring Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen. The film clip was used in a social media post tied to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Danish filmmaker protests the U.S. government’s use of movie clip
The Danish film company Zentropa has formally requested that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security delete a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) that includes an iconic dancing scene from the Oscar-winning film *Another Round.* The clip features actor Mads Mikkelsen celebrating with students in a moment of euphoria, but was instead used by the agency to cheer on a campaign of arrests targeting undocumented immigrants.
Homeland Security shared the movie fragment in reaction to a post by Greg Bovino, head of the U.S. Border Patrol, who had posted a video showing agents smiling and flashing peace signs before detaining several people. Bovino characterized it as a “warning to illegal immigrants.” Homeland Security then amplified that message with the Danish film clip, portraying Mikkelsen dancing, jumping, and toasting with champagne, which they called their “celebration” of recent deportations.
No permission granted
According to Zentropa, the U.S. agency did not request or receive permission to use the video. The Danish studio said they first became aware of the post on Friday and have since contacted Homeland Security to demand that the clip be taken down.
Neither Homeland Security nor the U.S. Embassy in Denmark has responded to inquiries about the situation. Zentropa, led by producers including Kasper Dissing, stressed that the unauthorized use of the film violates copyright protections.
The film’s director, Thomas Vinterberg, has not issued any separate comment. So far, Mads Mikkelsen himself has also remained silent on the controversy.
Social media reactions
Once the post appeared, X users began sharing images, memes, and additional clips of the Danish actor. The Department of Homeland Security even joked in a follow-up comment that they would “keep the Mads posts coming until the mood improves.” Many users found the combination of the celebratory film scene and the harsh message of the Trump administration’s immigration policy jarring and inappropriate.
Zentropa’s response signals their commitment to controlling how their artistic work is used, especially in political contexts.
Repeated issues with creative rights
This is not the first time Trump-era immigration officials have clashed with artists over unauthorized use of creative material. Earlier this month, American pop star Sabrina Carpenter publicly criticized the administration for pairing video footage of deportations with her music. In her case, the Department of Homeland Security shared a video of officers detaining migrants accompanied by Carpenter’s song “Juno.” The artist condemned the move as unacceptable and dehumanizing.
Similarly, in September, the department released another video featuring a scene of migrant arrests with the Pokémon theme song playing in the background. The lyrics “gotta catch ’em all” were used in conjunction with footage of people being handcuffed. Pokémon Company International has since lodged a complaint demanding removal of the video. Nevertheless, it continues to circulate online.
The pattern shows how the Trump administration’s media strategy frequently crosses lines of copyright and artistic consent. Danish filmmakers and artists, known for their strong protection of creative expression, have now become central to the latest dispute.
Growing diplomatic sensitivity
The unauthorized use of a scene from *Another Round* adds an international dimension to the issue. Denmark has long taken pride in its cultural exports, and Zentropa remains one of its most recognized film companies. The misuse of Mikkelsen’s image by a U.S. government agency could spark diplomatic conversations about artistic integrity and respect for intellectual property.
For many Danes, the incident raises questions about how their national cinema is being portrayed abroad. At the same time, it underscores broader challenges facing creators worldwide who want to safeguard their work from being repurposed for political messaging. In the end, the Danish studio’s firm stance reflects a belief that art should not be manipulated to support government propaganda of any kind.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Mads Mikkelsen – Danish Screen Icon
The Danish Dream: Best Lawyer in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Zentropa kræver video med Mads Mikkelsen fjernet fra Trump-kanal
