Bare Holger (2005)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Kasper Gaardsøe

Writer:

Mette Heeno (writer)

Release Date:

June 2005 (Denmark)

Genre:

Short | Comedy

Plot:

Holger has been stung by love all his life. When he finally meets the girl of his dreams, he decides to switch identities with his womanizing neighbor so he can win her heart - But can love be true when it's based on a lie?

Plot Keywords:

Love | Doctor | Postman | Mistaken Identity | Mailman

Cast

David Dencik	...	Holger Frandsen
Helle Fagralid	...	Astrid Fjernballe
Marie Caroline Schjeldal	...	Linda (as Marie Schjeldal)
Søren Pilmark	...	Christian Rosenkranz
Kirsten Olesen	...	Astrids mor
Hans Henrik Voetmann	...	Astrids far
Asta Esper Hagen Andersen	...	Astrids mormor
Holger Perfort	...	Astrids morfar
Jakob Cedergren	...	Martin Holm
Jamie Morton	...	Holger 10 år (as Jamie John Morton)
Danielle Gregory	...	Bettina
Laura Christensen	...	Pige i bageriet
Søren Vejby	...	Fyr i bageriet
Beate Bille	...	Sofie Holm
Therese Damsgaard	...	Anita (as Therese Dam)

Also Known As:

Being Holger (International: English title)

Runtime:

31 min

Country:

Denmark

Language:

Danish

Color:

Color

Company:

Den Danske Filmskole

Trivia:

David Dencik did all his own stunt work. He broke a finger on the second day of shooting when he crashed into a car door during the title sequence.

Out of love

"Bare Holger" was a graduate project by Danish Film School student Kasper Gaardsøe. However, I don't think it showcases much talent. The technical level is fine, but the storytelling is dull, especially for what claims to be a comedy.

Holger has fallen in love with Astrid, and this relationship is at the core of the film. But events come between them; when Holger finds himself taking over his neighbour's persona while the neighbour is away, he feels forced to lie to Astrid. There are fun moments, including Søren Pilmark's mannerisms as the neighbour, but most scenes lack timing.

There is good acting, especially from actresses Helle Fagralid and Marie Schjeldal, but I don't think David Dencik's slow manner works well, and the narration, though spoken by old favourite Holger Juul Hansen, is uninspired and long-winded.