FLAME & CITRON

Flame & Citron is a Danish drama film released in 2008. The film is directed by famous Danish filmmaker Ole Christian Madsen. It features a star-studded cast that includes Thure Lindhardt, Mads Mikkelsen, Stine Stengade, and a host of other highly talented actors, making it a potent mix of talent, drama, and cinematic brilliance that grips the audiences and immerses them into its world.

The movie emerges as a gritty, dark, and harrowing World War II drama. It names itself after the two central characters, Flame (played by Thure Lindhardt) and Citron (played by Mads Mikkelsen). Flame & Citron, in a turn of historic proportions, were real-life figures, known for their activities as part of the Danish resistance movement during the occupation of Denmark by Nazi Germany.

The audience is introduced into the clandestine world of Flame and Citron, two fearless freedom fighters who live for the sole purpose of annihilating the occupants. Navigating the gloomy and frightful lanes of wartime Denmark, Flame and Citron take on the daunting tasks of assassinating and sabotaging Nazi officers and their Danish collaborators to disrupt the occupancy. Their operations executed with surgical precision, paint remarkable tales of bravery and duty against a backdrop of war, looming fear and unpredictable circumstances.

Thure Lindhardt, as Flame, exhibits a brilliant shade of raw intensity and idealistic passions. His character is called Flame, the ginger-haired man with fiery determination and bravery. He is the younger half of the duo who provokes thought and showcases rather volatile emotions in contrast to his partner.

On the other hand, Mads Mikkelsen as Citron, named after his Citroen car, is excellent in aligning the audience with his character's disillusionment and exhaustion grappling with the ethical dilemmas and emotional turmoil of their perilous job. Known for his stoic characters in other films, Mads brings out a fantastic display of suppressed emotions and raw courage, stirring the viewers' empathy and respect.

Stine Stengade plays the role of Ketty Selmer, a woman with mysterious and complex motives, taking the plot into an intriguing turn. She is usually seen sauntering in and out of the narrative riddle, adding a layer of suspense and romance to the tense narrative.

Ole Christian Madsen's attention to detail is evident in every frame of the movie, where the atmosphere of fear, suspicion, and uncertainty is palpable. The director manages to maintain a constant edge of suspense throughout the film, keeping audiences engaged. Madsen successfully delivers a deeply focused narrative on the personal lives of these resistance fighters while also painting a broader picture of wartime Denmark.

The screenplay co-authored by Lars Andersen and Madsen, moves beyond the traditional war-time heroes and displays the complexity of human emotions, ethical dilemmas, and the gray line between right and wrong. It seizes the audience with in-depth character narratives while revealing the grim reality of wartime resistance.

The cinematography of Jørgen Johansson creates a chilling ambiance with its use of dim lighting and stark images that add to the intensity and realism of the story. The background score by Karsten Fundal supplements the tension-filled narrative, becoming an integral part of the cinematic experiences.

Overall, Flame & Citron is more than a mere war movie - it is a compelling historical epic of human resilience in the face of tyrant suppression. It represents the stirring stories of the unsung heroes who risked their lives for the sake of their country's freedom. It engages the audience with the high stakes, tension, and then the ultimate existential crisis that is acquainted with the duality of heroism and morality.

The movie, Flame & Citron, is a must-watch for enthusiasts of historical dramas, war-time epics, and character-driven narratives. It will leave you contemplating the complexities of war and the ethical intricacies of resistance long after the credits roll, proving it to be a cinematic masterpiece steeped in history.