CPH Post 6 - 26 November 2020 by The Copenhagen Post

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After more than a decade in charge, Copenhagen Mayor Frank Jensen has quit public life after admitting to multiple acts of sexual misconduct 2

To mark 100 years of diplomatic relations with Denmark, Hungary is opening its doors to its history, culture and presence over here

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POLITICS

Fanning the flames Right-wing parties provoking Muslims as terror threat rises

INTERNATIONAL Belarusian opposition leader makes surprise visit to capital

8 CULTURE

Von Trier in tears Rival’s films are simply better, says Danish public

BIDEN: THEIR TIME?

DEFCON 3 … on all systems! New coronavirus alert system launched by government SPORT

BEN HAMILTON

Why 2022 could be a special year for Danish football

11 REVIEWS

Five stars all the way English-language theatre extremely good right now

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ENMARK now has its own DEFCON … for the coronavirus. Unlike the US defence readiness alert system, its lowest level is one, not five. The government, which recently confirmed support of 8 billion kroner for business and culture up until the end of January, hopes the five-level system will make the ongoing crisis more transparent. We are at Risk Level 3 AT THE time of going to press, Denmark is at Risk level 3, which indicates “widespread infection in society, with the potential for rapid

acceleration in infection numbers”. Talking of acceleration, the country confirmed a daily record number of 1,353 new infections on Tuesday. However, the State Serum Institute estimates that had the country tested as comprehensively back in April, around 2-3,000 new daily cases would have been found at that time. More in hospital THE NUMBER of people in hospital with coronavirus has grown by around 50 percent over the last three weeks. On October 13, there were 103. Yesterday, there were 169, of whom 22 are in intensive wards and 16 on ventilators. The death toll has meanwhile climbed to 728.

4-5 Madsen prison escape

‘Cyberchondria’ rife

CONVICTED murderer Peter Madsen escaped from Herstedvester Prison in Albertslund on October 20. He forced his way out by taking a hostage and threatening to detonate a bomb strapped to his waist. He was later detained about 1 km from the prison. An investigation has been launched – particularly as there had been rumours of his plan.

PEOPLE in Denmark are prone to claiming they have the flu a lot … and pneumonia. And now it emerges the Danes are the third most hypochondriac nation in Europe, behind only the Spanish and French. At 143 symptom searches per 100,000 people every day, the Danes are five times more likely to self-diagnose than the average Brit or Irish person.

Fucking obvious innit

Bad for conservation

DANISH swear-words like ‘fanden’, 'for helvede’ and 'for satan’ – all linked to the devil and hell – have taken a back seat to the import ‘fuck’, according to Rasmus Nielsen, a socio-linguist from the University of Southern Denmark. He told DR that Danes use it as a noun, adjective, verb and exclamation – and it is not considered that inappropriate.

DENMARK is one of the worst countries for natural habitat conservation, according to the EEA report 'State of Nature in the EU 2013-2018'. Only Belgium was worse, while Romania, Estonia and Greece led the way. Over 70 percent of Denmark’s habitats have a ‘bad’ status and it is the fifth worst at conserving species.

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He built this city … on too much rock ‘n’ roll

ONLINE THIS WEEK POLICE on October 29 apprehended a man who 24 hours earlier fled the scene of an incident in which his car hit a mother and her five-year-old daughter on the pavement of Peter Bangs Vej in Frederiksberg. The girl died at the scene. "Only a coward flees after robbing another person of their life,” commented PM Mette Frederiksen on Facebook.

Tårnby now riddled

Green meaning ONE IN three Copenhageners want to eat more sustainably to be more climate-friendly, according to a Føtex survey. Only 36 percent won’t change their habits to reduce their climate footprint. Some 15 percent intend to cut down on dairy products, while 26 percent have avoided goods that they perceived to be climate-unfriendly.

Airport hosting trial COPENHAGEN Airport has been awarded 90 million kroner by the EU as part of a project aimed at developing a more environmentally-friendly airport infrastructure, which can then be adopted at other sites.

LUKE ROBERTS

OPENHAGEN has changed a lot since Frank Jensen, 59, took over as its city mayor in 2009 – most notably from an international perspective, both in terms of its residents and how the capital is seen globally. And the next two summers were going to be the chief orchestrator’s crowning glory, with first the European Championship and then the Tour de France visiting Copenhagen for the first time in its history – the biggest sports

events to ever be hosted here. Only Jensen won’t be around to take the credit, as a career spent groping women finally caught up with him on the weekend of October 17-18. By Monday, he had cleared his desk. Could have been PM JENSEN, who as an MP was the runner-up in the Socialdemokratiet leadership contest in 2005 with 47 percent of the vote, had already issued apologies to two women he had groped, but it was not enough to stem the tide. “I want to be a positive part of the culture change process that has been launched with the second wave of #MeToo,” he said before stepping down. “I want to go from

Frankly … no famous last words

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

OPENHAGEN has once again been rated among the best cities in the world when it comes to the work-life balance. It ranked third on the 2020 Work-Life Balance Index compiled by Kisl. Copenhagen ranked in the top five for the categories Hours Worked & Commuted/Week, Overworked Population, Minimum Vacation Offered, Social Spending and Happiness, Culture & Leisure. Strong in Nordics OSLO AND Helsinki took the top two places, with Hamburg and Berlin completing the top five, fol-

lowed by Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Stockholm and Calgary. Other notables included Amsterdam (12th), Tokyo (19), Sydney (21), Melbourne (24), Paris (25), London (31), New York (40), Bangkok (43), Sao Paulo (44) and Hong Kong (45). High cost of eating in MEANWHILE, according to another survey – this time the 2020 Diet Destination Report compiled by money.co.uk – the Danish capital is one of the most expensive cities for eating in. Copenhageners pay the highest energy prices in relation to using their ovens: 2,193.50 euros a year, which is roughly five times more than the cheapest cities included in the survey, such as Moscow.

COPENHAGEN Zoo has shut down its wolf enclosure because it no longer adheres to higher levels of animal welfare outlined in a three-year strategy plan to update the animals’ facilities. Three male wolves will be euthanised, along with a brown bear, after the zoo failed to find them new homes.

DEN BLÅ Planet in Kastrup, northern Europe’s largest aquarium, could close down due to the impact of the coronavirus on visitor numbers. Its numbers have fallen by 200,000 since last year.

Drunk cycling menace

Number three for work-life balance Only Nordic rivals Oslo and Helsinki rate higher on new index

Silenced howls

Aquarium could close

being a part of the problem to being a part of the solution.” Jensen’s fondness for groping women was well known. In 2004 and 2011, articles in Se og Hør and Ekstra Bladet detailed groping incidents – both at Christmas parties. At the latter, he molested four of his employees.

VISIT DENMARK/KIM WYON

TÅRNBY Municipality on the island of Amager now has the nation’s fourth highest incidence of infections. As of last week, it stood at 177.5 per 100,000. The western suburbs of Brøndby (269), Høje-Taastrup (261) and Ishøj (236) continue to lead the way. In related news, the oneway restrictions around the City Lakes have been removed, as well as several cycling bans in the city.

Frank Jensen, the mayor of Copenhagen since 2009, has resigned following a flood of sexual misconduct accusations

ONLINE THIS WEEK

NEWS ØRESUND

PM condemns coward

Editorial offices: International House, Gyldenløvesgade 11, 1600 Copenhagen Denmark

6 -26 November 2020

DRUNK cyclists in Copenhagen were responsible for nearly half of all alcohol-related accidents in Denmark in 2019. They accounted for 20 out of a total of 42.

Ice rink reopening POPULAR ice rink Broens Skøjtebane is set to reopen on November 6, Located at the end of the Inner Harbour Bridge at Den Grønlandske Handels Pladsvar, it is free to use.

Adopt a tree

Comfortable up this creek

Bad for meat-lovers HOWEVER, the Danish capital is not the worst city for meat-lovers. That honour was taken by Oslo, with Copenhagen seventh. While meat-lovers in the capital face crippling energy prices and limited steakhouse takeaway options (fifth worst), the price of the raw products was not as high.

PARTNERSHIP Trees, which enables the public to access free trees on the promise they care for them, has been relaunched. Between 2016 and 2018, it planted over 1,500.

New youth hostel A NEW 24-HOUR youth hostel is planned in Outer Nørrebro. Housing 24 residents, Sporsløjfen will be staffed at all hours. The site is expected to open in summer 2022.

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4 COVER Say it’s so Joe! There’s only so many years we can take THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

has ensured that this will be an election like no other, and it is expected that it may take days, if not weeks, to be sure of the final tally. “We’re cautiously optimistic,” says Sam, the owner at The Midwestern. The diner is hosting an election breakfast special, with results pouring in live, and customers are hopeful that things are “on the right track”.

It's a sizzler alright YESTERDAY, the US took to the polls for the presidential election in a race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The final result, however, still hangs in the balance. The huge number of mail-in ballots and the impact of the coronavirus

Nervous about future THE RESULTS of this election will undoubtedly have a profound impact not just on the US, but on the tone of world politics. For Americans living in Denmark, the past four years of the Trump administration has been described as a surreal experience for people of all ages.

AARON HATHAWAY Born in the 1990s Home state: Minnesota

me which way the election’s gonna go, as if I fuckin’ know something they don’t. Like Americans all get some secret newsletter or something. I am so much more scared for the coming months than I am the outcome of this miserable election. American political and social infrastructure has failed so many millions at every corner, and there is so much inertia in our massive, cruel engine that it will be months before that pain eases. This winter will be so dark and hard for so many, regardless of who is in power. I don’t know when I’ll be able to hug my mom again. It's hard to be hopeful without feeling like a fool.

HELEN JONES

T’S EARLY morning at The Midwestern Diner in central Copenhagen but breakfast is already under way. Americans and Danes alike fill the seats, with the smell of bacon sizzling and fresh coffee in the air, but not everybody is smiling.

FEEL BITTER and exhausted. I am everyone’s ‘American friend’ here, which means everyone keeps asking

Aaron has been living in Copenhagen for three years, and works as a reporter and copywriter.

RAY WEAVER Born in the 1950s Home state: Maryland

VEN AS the ugly trend toward nationalism and right-wing ideology grows around the world, the boorish, moronic clown that I call ‘Dear Leader’ has become the ultimate symbol of the ‘ugly American’. I can rarely go anywhere without someone – the moment they find out I am an American – asking: “What the fuck is up with this Trump, man? Are you guys serious?” I still have no real answer to that question. Along with being embarrassed in the pub, Dear Leader’s effect on my life was

HELEN JONES

Stamina deficiency: across the age spectrum, their patience with the Trump presidency is wearing thin

6 -26 November 2020

Midwestern Diner couldn’t be more aptly named

We’ve spoken with a number of Americans on what it’s been like to experience the dramatic changes underway in US

ERIKA DEL CID Born in the 1990s Home state: Virginia

HE VOTE’S still undecided – but as it stands now I’m deeply disappointed. It feels like we didn’t learn our lesson from the last election. I may not

personal and life threatening. Early last March, just as the coronavirus was really taking hold in Europe, I was scheduled to do a tour in the US. I made some calls to the promoters before I headed over to see if they thought it was safe: “Just a few cases. Mostly on the West coast. It’ll be gone in a week.” That was the message they were hearing from the president of the United States. I thought: “Even he wouldn’t lie about a deadly virus, would he?” My bad. I landed on March 10. By March 14, my entire tour was shut down and I was struggling to get back to Denmark. I spent hours in airports in DC and New York City before I

politics while living in Denmark. Across the board, there’s a sense of nervousness for the future.

identify strongly as a democrat voter, I’ve supported different progressive candidates over the years, but the presidential election is where it really counts and the idea of another Trump term feels like we’ve given up on changing or doing better. I’ve been in Denmark for five years and plan to stay. The voting system here is simply much more proportional that the one in the US, and I’d like to see an America that truly represents its voters. Not just that, but an America with limits on political fundraising and donations, especially from ‘special interest’ groups. One way or the other living in Denmark only drives home how much democracy in the USA needs an update. Erika is a Copenhagen resident with a background in international relations and migration.

could get on a packed plane to Copenhagen. Somewhere during that long, toxic journey, I got the fucking virus. And I nearly died. I was bedridden from mid-March to mid-April and still suffer serious lingering health issues. People ask if I wouldn’t have travelled anyway had he been honest. I doubt it, because the promoters and venues were taking their cues from the president. And he lied. Ray has lived in Denmark since the 1990s. He is a journalist and singer-songwriter who is an occasional contributor to the Copenhagen Post.

6 -26 November 2020

IAN BEARDEN Born in the 1960s Home state: Arkansas

COVER

HEN GEORGE W Bush came to power, many Danish people asked me: "How could this happen?" so you could say that I'd had a lot of practice in saying: "Well, crazy things happen" by the time Trump got elected! But overall, I've been very happy to be insulated from all the craziness of this particular administration living in Denmark. Everything about this man is a sideshow and sometimes it gets too surreal – for example, when the guy was talking about buying Greenland – and somewhat embarrassing. I mean, how can you not have a better idea of what's going on in the world. You shake

JUSTIN CREMER Born in the 1970s Home state: Iowa

N THE WEEKS following Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, as American progressives and celebrities made loud but empty threats to leave the country, I was making quiet but very real plans to move back to the United States after nearly seven years away. Less than two months after Trump was inaugurated, my family and I moved to Upstate New York for a two-year stay. Even though we knew we’d come back to Denmark, I had mixed feelings about returning to the US. Not only had my ties faded as my connection to Denmark grew stronger, I also knew that the US I was returning to was going to be very different than the one I left in 2010. I’ve never been overly naïve about the United States and fully recognise that we Americans have a complicated and often very ugly history. But returning home to spend two years in Trump’s America truly drove home the sense that that ugliness

TAYLOR KIRCHMYER Born in the 1980s Home state: Arizona

ID YOU dream about a big life, something more than staying in your hometown? When I moved from Phoenix to Tucson to finish my degree, that ‘bigger’ city life sustained me for a while – but after a few years I knew it was time to move on. I had a dream to live in Paris!! It may be a typical American young girl’s dream, but with research and determination, I found a way to make it happen for a year. Then, an opportunity presented itself in Denmark; eager to leave my chambre de bonne dans le quinzième, I took it and began a new adventure. Living and working in Denmark is a dream I never knew I had. It is one of the most dynamic cities I have ever

your head; it's difficult to believe. It's hard to argue he's made any substantial changes for good in the US, or at least for those who earn less than 300,000 dollars a year. On the world stage, he's a bully. But as soon as somebody pushes back, he runs away and hides. He's such an untrustworthy leader. The US used to be a bedrock, both with NATO and in the Pacific. We could be counted on, even our ‘enemies’ knew the US would stick to its guns. Now, though, the unsteady hand at the tiller (and the decimation of the State Department) leads to instability. And don’t even get me started on Trump’s continual

flirtation with dictators! Worst of all has been Trump's longterm effect on climate. When he says humans have had nothing to do with climate change, people really listen and figure he knows something they don't. Because of this, it's been business as usual for large energy companies and it's really slowed down environmental efforts. From “windmills causing cancer” to “clean coal”, he has been abysmal on climate issues.

is not confined to the past. Trump’s openly hateful behavior, childish insults, sustained attack on the truth, assaults on the free press and barely-veiled racism have given large swaths of the American populace permission to unleash and embrace their ugly sides. Trump did not cause the divisions in American society but he has expertly exploited them and made them worse. Americans are now more split than at any point in my lifetime. When we returned back to Denmark at the outset of 2019, it was with a sense of both relief and guilt. It felt somehow wrong to escape as American democracy was being slowly eaten from within. But truly, what can I do about it? This sense of helplessness has continued since my return. Because of the time difference, nearly every day starts off with me scanning the notifications that came in overnight – a truly unhealthy habit that has resulted in far too

many days starting off on the wrong foot. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump’s constant dismissal and downplaying of the virus should have laid bare his failures for all to see, but it’s clear that there is a significant section of Americans for whom he has become a cult leader, a Messiah of sorts. It’s frightening and depressing that Trump still has enough support to make the election close. Even though we knew that Election Night most likely would not end with a definitive result, the thought of having to deal with Trump for another four years is almost too much to bear. But despite his best efforts, the US is still a democracy. All of the votes will be counted and when all is said and done, I believe he’ll lose. If not, Denmark has never looked better.

been to; you can be minutes away from beach, city or forest depending on your mood (and the weather) – and did I mention, a million delectably different combinations of smørrebrød?! Denmark’s work culture leaves me amazed. Aside from the fact that I adore my job and my confident, clever colleagues, I respect that the foundation of this work culture (and this country) is based on trust. Living here during corona times has been eye opening by comparison to my home country. When the prime minister makes an announcement, every Dane and foreigner in DK will tune in to hear what she has to say. Politics aside, there is underlying trust in the Danish government that every

measure taken is in the best interest of the people. It’s seems to be the exact opposite in the USA where wearing (or not wearing) masks has become more of a political statement than a preventative measure, and telling lies has become the new normal. In my opinion, without trust, how can we achieve unity to overcome this pandemic? Though it is uncertain where my future will take me, I am proud to be an honorary Dane during this moment in history where trust, community, kindness and respect are pivotal.

Ian, who has been living in Denmark since 1993, specialises in Experimental Particle Physics at the Niels Bohr Institute

Justin has lived in Denmark off and on since 2010. He is a former editor of The Copenhagen Post and The Local Denmark.

Taylor has lived in Denmark since August 2019. She is a Jr Relocation Consultant with Copenhagen Relocations.

NATIONAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

Restrictions: rational or risible?

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY

Gender gap explained

6 -26 November 2020

ON AVERAGE, men earn 14.4 percent more than women in Denmark – an improvement of 2.5 percentage points compared to 2010 – and a report by VIVE claims there is a good reason. It found that the longer women are employed in a given work function, the lower the wage will be – in both the private and public sector.

Up in flames A REPORT prepared for the Consumer Council’s Tænk initiative has revealed that almost 700 tonnes of brand new clothes are incinerated every year. This is over three times the amount previously reported by large clothing retailers. Stores are liable to pay VAT on clothes they give away, but not those they burn.

Passport problems

Pension detective review

THE AUTHORITIES recommend that hundreds of thousands of Danes should renew their passports due to an error, which they contend might cause a problem when traveling to certain countries in the future. An error, in which the left and right fingerprints are switched around, was made in 208,000 passports issued from 2014-2017. However, the passports are still valid.

THE TRADE and industry minister, Simon Kollerup, has proposed new legislation regarding the use of detectives by pension companies in a bid to tighten up the rules and introduce a fining system. Detectives are often used when companies suspect customers are exaggerating their claims, but there are concerns they go too far.

No drinking with kids SOME 58 percent of Danes think that alcohol should be banned completely when adults party with underaged people present, according to a Megafon survey on behalf of TV2 News. Some 30 percent disagreed. Meanwhile, 47 percent believe the boss should leave early from job-related festivities and only 23 percent back an alcohol limit at work parties.

No tobacco hikes here THE PRICE of tobacco has risen by 65 percent since 1998 – one of the slowest rates of growth in the EU where average prices have tripled, according to Danmarks Statistik. In fact, from 1998-2009 and 2014-2019, prices remained relatively unchanged. The price of food, clothing and transport have all increased more than tobacco.

Cutting our water loss THE AVERAGE person in Denmark uses 101 litres of water a day, which is half the amount they consumed 20 years ago, according to DANVA, the water sector’s industry organisation. Denmark, during that time, has become a world leader in limiting water loss.

Is the distance between the public and politicians growing just a bit?

Public increasingly sceptical about coronavirus measures CHRISTIAN WENANDE

firmation that a seventh of the patients hospitalised with the coronavirus were not admitted due to their condition.

isn’t overloaded with coronavirus patients, is not backed up by the figures.

NE IN SEVEN people in Denmark have said they will not follow the government’s advice about seeing a maximum of ten people privately outside the circle of their immediate family, according to a TV2 News survey. According to Michael Bang Petersen, a professor of political science at Aarhus University, this is a result of some people not being concerned about being infected by the coronavirus, and others feeling sceptical about the effectiveness of the restrictions. Scepticism levels have been rising for a while now, and they won’t have been helped by Statens Serum Institut’s con-

Too quick to act? ACCORDING to Lars Boje Mathiesen, the health spokesperson for the new right-wing party Nye Borgerlige, this suggests the government has been too quick to introduce tighter restrictions. These include mandatory facemasks in buildings with public access (and on public transport until January), a ban on the sale of alcohol after 22:00 (the same time bars are obligated to close), and a reduction in the gathering limit from 50 to 10. Mathiesen contends that the primary motive for the government’s action, which is ensuring the healthcare system

No need to panic! VIGGO Andreasen, a maths expert at Roskilde University, contends that the recent surges are due to targeted testing – for example, among young people in Aarhus – and that the rise in positive cases is nowhere comparable to the spring. “The current weekly increase of 25 percent in Denmark is not really that sharp. Infection rates were doubling every four to five days in the spring, so the panic level is lower than it was in March,” he told DR. Denmark’s death toll has passed 700 and nearly 5 million coronavirus tests have been carried out this year. At present, 169 people are hospitalised. On April 1, the number was 535.

Driving at 80

More kids cooking

Winter’s here (kind of)

THE SPEED limit has been increased from 110 to 130 km/h (80 m/h) on six different stretches of road covering a total of 70 km on the motorway. The increase is the result of an agreement with the former government and Dansk Folkeparti in 2018. However, the signs have not been changed in the high-speed zones yet.

GOCOOK, a project set up by Coop to teach children kitchen skills, has had a breakthrough year with 170,000 signing up for the courses – 20,000 more than the total number of the previous 13 years. Project manager Bente Svane Nielsen attributes the increase to the effect the coronavirus has had on the food arena.

ACCORDING to Vejdirektorat, winter officially arrived on the morning of October 16 when it dispatched its first salt-truck of the season. In an average winter, Vejdirektorat gets through 58,700 tonnes of salt. However, there has been limited demand since then, as temperatures have been unseasonably mild.

Opioid abuse decline THE ABUSE of opioids such as strong painkillers has fallen by 20 percent since 2016, according to the Sundhedsstyrelsen health authority. Four years ago, Denmark outstripped its Nordic neighbours in terms of consumption, leading to efforts to better educate doctors and patients about the risks.

Screen time advice THE SUNDHEDSSTYRELSEN health authority has unveiled new recommendations regarding the use of electronic devices for parents of children aged 0-15. They suggest ways to limit the amount of screen-time in the build up to bedtime and during the night, as well as other ways to incentivise activities that don’t involve looking at screens.

No smokers here! SOME 50 of the country’s 98 municipalities operate smoke-free working hours – six more than earlier in the year, with five more expected to follow suit before the end of the year. Gentofte Municipality in the capital region goes as far as stipulating that “indoors, outdoors or off the premises, in a home workplace or while travelling between workplaces".

POLITICS

6 -26 November 2020

Fanning the terror threat flames BEN HAMILTON

Security ramped up outside the French Embassy

Dansk Folkeparti and Nye Borgerlige concur that publishing Mohammed cartoons is the right thing to do

in adverts in the national press – specifically as an act of solidarity with Samuel Paty, the French teacher beheaded outside Paris in a terror act last month.

LUKE ROBERTS

HE PET security agency has warned that the terror risk is rising in Denmark due to the recent fallout from France’s support of Charlie Hebdo magazine’s recently-published depictions of the Prophet Mohammed. A terror attack in Nice, French product boycotts in the likes of Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar and Bangladesh, and heightened security around the world – including at the French Embassy in Kongens Nytorv – has mirrored the 2006 Cartoon Crisis endured by Denmark following Jyllands-Posten’s publication of its own Mohammed drawings. And now right-wing Danish parties are fanning the flames. Dansk Folkeparti has published the Charlie Hebdo drawings on social media, while Nye Borgerlige announced plans to run them

Lost in translation? WHILE Jyllands-Posten has ruled out publishing the ad, three other Danish newspapers, Berlingske, Weekendavisen and BT, have said they will. However, when Nye Borgerlige requested permission from Charlie Hebdo, the magazine rejected the offer and the party was forced to abandon their plans. Party leader Pernille Vermund had said she did not fear the consequences of printing ads bearing the Mohammed cartoons, but rather feared not printing them. According to a DR survey of 277 Danish teachers, 118 said they would be concerned about their safety should they have to show depictions of Mohammed in their classroom.

ONLINE THIS WEEK Paludan’s own church

US election donations

RASMUS Paludan has founded his own church. Sankt Jakob Maurerdræberens Kirke is named after James, who became the patron saint of Spain after helping the country to free itself from its occupation by the Moors in the 13th century. Paludan, who will need members and a priest, as well as statutes, intends to appoint himself archbishop and perform marriages.

DANISH companies are barred from making donations in the US election, but no such rules apply to individual employees – a rule that executives at Novo Nordisk, Lundbeck and Ørsted have made the most of. Novo employees have contributed 3.9 million kroner and Lundbeck 900,000 – to both Democrat and Republican candidates.

Confidence in democracy

Investigation unlikely

THE ‘YOUTH and Satisfaction with Democracy’ report published by the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge reveals that Denmark is one of the few countries whose youth is increasingly embracing democracy. Globally, 57.7 percent don’t have confidence in democracy as a form of government – a rise from 38.7 percent in 2005.

THE POLICE are obliged to consider investigating an incident that took place 12 years ago when the foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, had sex with a 15-year-old girl after meeting her at a Socialdemokratiet youth event where he was the keynote speaker. Several citizens reported the matter as a rape. Experts contend there is no chance there will be a police investigation.

Boiler ban backed

Coronavirus hits MPs

A BROAD alliance of parties have agreed to the phasing out of current oil and gas boilers in Denmark, along with their replacement by more eco-friendly district heating and heat pump solutions. The implementation is expected to cost around 2.3 billion kroner. The change is expected to cut 700,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030.

THE JUSTICE minister, Nick Hækkerup, has taken a coronavirus test after falling ill. The employment minister, Peter Hummelgaard, is also in isolation awaiting test results. Meanwhile, Lars Christian Lilleholt, the former climate minister, has been admitted to hospital in Odense after showing symptoms. MPs Jeppe Bruus and Egil Hulgaard have also tested positive.

Included in the code

Green cuisine u-turn

SF AND Enhedslisten want to expand the hate speech law to protect transgender people, thus adding gender identity, expression and characteristics to section 266B of the Criminal Code. The amendments would make hate speech against transgender and intersex people as punishable as hate speech against different races and LGBT people.

THE GOVERNMENT has withdrawn plans to make vegetarian meals mandatory twice a week in its canteens after many objections. Morten Messerschmidt from Dansk Folkeparti described the measure as an overreach of power. The government has ruled that the recommendations, such as serving just one portion of red meat a week, are not obligatory.

Corona passport proposal

Free abortion proposal

A MAJORITY in Parliament outside of the government approves of Dansk Industri’s proposal for coronavirus passports to enable travellers from abroad to gain access to Denmark by producing a negative COVID-19 test. Citing tourists who want to visit summerhouses or Christmas markets, Venstre intends to make the proposal official.

ENHEDSLISTEN argues that Polish women should be able to get an abortion for free in Denmark. The party’s suggestion follows protests by thousands against the government’s plans to usher in more stringent abortion laws. Polish women tend to travel to other countries, such as Germany and Austria, to get abortions.

INTERNATIONAL THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

SAID MANSOUR, who Denmark deported to Morocco last year after serving four years in prison and being stripped of his Danish citizenship, has been sentenced to death for his role in a terror attack that left 45 people dead in Casablanca in 2003. The ‘Bookseller from Brønshøj’ is 60 years old.

Baltic quota rise

Romanians at #3

JOINING as a technical partner, the Danish company SKIOLD Group will work alongside Dutch organisation De Heus Group and the Hung Nhon Group on a sustainable agriculture project in Vietnam. The project seeks to develop a sustainable, high-tech agricultural complex in Dak Lak, covering pig breeding, slaughtering, and the processing of natural fertiliser.

Aid for Africa A DANISH-LED donor conference has helped to raise 10.8 billion kroner to aid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Sahel. Denmark has earmarked 700 million kroner in funds to the region between now and the end of 2022. In related news, Parliament has approved a 650 million kroner package to help several African countries fight the coronavirus.

THE EU Commission has again confirmed that the Danish model, which stipulates no statutory minimum wage due to the unique way employers and trade unions negotiate, will not be impacted by its desire to introduce an EU-wide fair minimum wage.

UNICEF has confirmed it will be storing 520 million coronavirus vaccine syringes in a warehouse in the Copenhagen district of Nordhavn. The vaccines, which have already been paid for, will then be distributed to needy recipients all over the world from Denmark.

A NEW SERVICE contract for the Thule Air Base in northwest Greenland has finally been agreed by the US, Greenland and Denmark. The contract covers maintenance, construction and canteen services, with a focus on providing opportunities and benefits for Greenland and its citizens.

Going Dutch in Nam

EU: Model is safe

Vaccines in storage

Finally agreed on Thule

ROMANIANS are the third largest group of foreigners in Denmark, according to Danmarks Statistik. The number grew from 30,700 to 32,400 between 2019 and 2020. In 2015, the tally stood at just 19,000. Only the Poles (41,000) and Syrians (35,000) account for more of the 537,000 foreigners in Denmark, with the Turks and Germans completing the top five.

ONLINE THIS WEEK VERONICA SKOTTE

Death and the Morrocan

Big Tic for DK from the real Mrs T

6 -26 November 2020

Mrs T with fellow Berlarusians before meeting the Danish PM and picking up her award

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya signs praises of Denmark as she picks up Politikens Frihedspris award in Copenhagen

ARELY two weeks after a Russian satirical duo impersonated Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to infiltrate a high-level Danish foreign policy meeting, the real Mrs Tikhanovskaya was in town. She visited Copenhagen on October 22 to receive the Politikens Frihedspris award that recognises the efforts of individuals or organisations in the fight for freedom rights. In meetings with PM Mette

Frederiksen, Jeppe Kofod, the foreign minister, and other government and civil society officials she expressed gratitude for Denmark’s support in the fight to unseat President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Denmark has condemned the nature of the recent elections, which Lukashenko is suspected of rigging, and been vocal about the need to level sanctions against his regime, helping to raise awareness internationally. Grateful to Denmark SINCE the announcement of the controversial presidential election results in August, tens of thousands of people across Belarus have hit the streets to

protest every day, attracting immense international coverage and support. “We are so grateful that Denmark is among the countries to impose sanctions on the current regime,” she said. "There is a lot of news around the world, but we don’t want people to forget about us. The more aware people are, the more support we get from the international society and the more pressure there is on the regime.” Tikhanovskaya, whose husband is a jailed YouTuber, was also among ten Belarusian opposition figures who were awarded the Sakharov Prize for Human Rights by the European Parliament this year.

NEGOTIATIONS on next year's Baltic Sea fishing quotas have resulted in a general increase in permitted catches. This might go some way to alleviating the expected blow the new post-Brexit quotas will cause in the North Sea.

Up for election SØREN Brostrøm, the health authority chief, has been nominated for the World Health Organization’s global board. In related news, Ulrik V Knudsen’s candidacy to become OECD secretary-general has been officially launched.

Married in Malmö IN LIGHT of the recent restrictions in Denmark cutting gathering limits to ten, many are holding their marriage celebrations in Malmö, where there are no limits. One venue owner told BT he had recently received at least 12 calls from Danes interested in holding wedding receptions at his establishment, and that one of the parties was attended by 200 people.

Peru contamination SALMON sold in Lidl has been linked to a Peruvian type of fishmeal and oil that is causing pollution and respiratory diseases in Peru, reports Danwatch. Denmark imports around 20 percent of its fishmeal and oil from Peru – for a value of more than 300 million kroner.

SCIENCE

6 -26 November 2020

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RESEARCHERS from food producer Rootly and DTU Food Institute have developed a recipe for a skinless vegan sausage that keeps its shape when cooked. Furthermore, the recipe reuses pulp that is currently discarded.

China’s leopard success THE LEOPARD population in northern China is rising, according to a University of Copenhagen (KU) study, which bucks trends seen elsewhere. In other KU animal study news, researchers have transformed pigs’ blood into a tasteless protein powder that could be a new sustainable food source, and a team have succeeded in mapping the entire genome of a saber cat.

Breakthrough in ink A UNIVERSITY of Copenhagen study questions what we know about the history of writing in ink. According to the research, the practice may have been far more widespread than first thought in 15th century Europe, in light of research into how ancient Egyptians wrote in ink almost 3,000 years ago.

Oldies to blame EXPERTS blame old parents for the nation’s increased dependency on artificial insemination to conceive. Last year, it accounted for 10.5 percent of newborns (6,429), according to Dansk Fertilitetsselskab, the national fertility association. Of those, 767 were born to single women.

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY

Skinless, vegan sausage

Green gumption: get up and grow! Homeowners and development banks among those being rallied by the government to help it achieve its climate goals LUKE ROBERTS

HE MINISTRY of Climate, Energy and Supply has adopted measures that encourage homeowners to apply for grants for home improvements that conserve energy. In line with the goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent by 2030, the government has set up a pool of 245 million kroner, and is particularly keen for homeowners to switch to green heat pumps. The Ministry of Development Aid, meanwhile, has proposed that the coronavirus has given the world an opportunity for radical reconstruction in pursuit of climate-friendly solutions. Speaking at a World Bank annual program event, minister Rasmus Prehn called on development banks to play a major role in providing support and

Olde aptly named OLDE, a 41-year-old gentoo penguin at Odense Zoo, has been confirmed as the "oldest penguin in captivity" by Guinness World Records. Born in Edinburgh, Olde also spent time in Montreal before landing in Odense in 2003. Gentoo penguins tend to live for 15-20 years in the wild, and up to 30 in captivity.

Potential cancer leap

Denmark would appear to be pursuing the right kind of future

funding for ambitious climate action plans. Energy enterprise ELSEWHERE, it has been a good fortnight for Denmark’s green ambitions. Denmark and Germany can now exchange renewable energy following the establishment of a connection between offshore windfarms in the Baltic Sea via a 400 MW subsea cable. Any excess above the capacity will in the future be made available

to the other market. A virtual event recently showcased 19 Danish companies to public and private Dutch energy leaders. Crown Prince Frederik delivered the opening speech. Denmark can maintain lower limits for cadmium in fertilisers than the rest of the EU thanks to an environmental guarantee case being won in the EU courts. The state has long perceived cadmium to be a particularly toxic heavy metal.

FOR DECADES scientists have puzzled over how cells control the speed of DNA replication, but now researchers in Copenhagen understand that “all the [involved] proteins have a specific function” – a major breakthrough. It is hoped the findings could potentially be used to exploit weaknesses in cancer cells.

Link to dementia THOSE that suffer from ‘migraine with aura’ are 50 percent more likely to develop dementia, according to research carried out by Nationalt Videnscenter for Hovedpine and the Institut for Folkesundhedsvidenskab at Copenhagen University. Some 20 percent of people in Denmark suffer from it.

Among most innovative

Saharan bush counting

Aquaculture shake-up

No humans needed

COPENHAGEN is the seventh most innovative city in the world, according to an index from Ambreyewear.com. It finished behind Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Washington DC, Amsterdam and Boston, while Tokyo, Milan and Atlanta completed the top 10. Copenhagen scored high marks for Well-being, Creativity and Education.

UTILISING satellite imagery from NASA and AI programming, the University of Copenhagen has counted over 1.8 billion trees and shrubs in the westernmost part of the Sahara, an area 1.3 million sq km in size. It dispels popular wisdom that the area is a barren and sandy landscape.

IN A BID to better protect the habitat of its seas, the government has unveiled plans to curtail aquaculture in the country. The environment minister, Lea Wermelin, has put forth two law proposals that from 2021 will not only put a stop to the establishment of new offshore fish farms, but also clean up production.

DTU’S NEW centre, the Center for Collaborative Autonomous Systems, features a 1,000 sqm ‘test arena’ – the only one of its kind in Europe. The centre will conduct research into highly automated and intelligent systems capable of adapting to their environment and performing complex tasks independently – or with only minor human intervention

10 CULTURE

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Forming our reality

The ‘Vinter’ of Lars’ discontent

6 -26 November 2020

VICTOR Plank Harms, a reality TV producer with experience in Denmark and the US, rejects the idea that his programs are vacuous, arguing they effect real societal change, particularly in regards to the development of gender fluidity and sexuality. For example, the shows no longer label people according to their gender identity or sexual orientation – an approach that rubs off on the viewers.

LAST YEAR, Gloria Biograf in central Copenhagen delighted expat movie fans by screening 'Parasite' with English subtitles, and the trend is catching on. Gloria, Vester Vov Vov in Vesterbro and Atlas Biograferne in Rødovre have all recently screened Thomas Vinterberg’s ‘Druk’ with English subs.

Support for German

They’re ‘aving a bubble THE ROSKILDE, Northside and Smukfest festivals have been collaborating on how to best welcome guests next year should the coronavirus still be a concern. Their solution is ‘test bubbles': entry will require a negative COVID-19 test, after which there will be significant detection efforts. However, for the plans to work, the organisers will need political support.

Proof we love nudes JADA, whose real name is Emilie Molsted Nørgaard, is well on her way to becoming Denmark’s biggest music star. The 27-year-old’s hit ‘Nudes’, along with its steamy video, has been one of the most played Danish songs of the year, and she recently scooped two P3 Gold 2020 awards.

Second porno reading THE STAGE show ‘My Dad wrote a Porno’ will be performed at DR Koncerthuset on March 22 – an additional performance after the show on March 21 sold out.

Love the foreign subs

“Really … have you seen ‘Nymphomaniac’? Goes to show length isn’t everything.”

Dogme rival topping public poll to establish best Danish film of the last 25 years

‘The Celebration’. Lars is top dog, it would appear.

Family'), with the winner likely to be confirmed on November 18.

BEN HAMILTON

Drinking at the party! BUT NOT according to the general public, as they have voted ‘Festen’ as the most popular Danish film of the past 25 years according to an ongoing vote on DR, with 35 percent choosing it. Furthermore, Vinterberg’s latest effort, ‘Druk’, is second with 12 percent – high praise for the film most likely to represent Denmark at next April’s Oscars. It faces competition from Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid’s ‘Shorta’ and Malou Reymann’s ‘En helt almindelig familie’ ('A Perfectly Normal

Idiot vote discounted? IN CONTRAST, Von Trier’s films have done dismally in the poll, with 'Breaking the Waves’ (5) and 'Antichrist' (3) the only ones to feature in the top ten. However, 27 percent of the voters chose a film not on the shortlist, so who knows how many would have chosen ‘Idioterne’! The most popular documentary of the last 25 years, meanwhile, is 'Armadillo', which got 6 percent of the votes to be the third most popular film outright.

ARS VON Trier is an inclusion on the Guardian’s Top 40 list and Total Film’s Top 100: at numbers 37 and 86 respectively (two places behind Carl Theodor Dryer), while Thomas Vinterberg is nowhere in sight. And when DR decided to mark the 25th anniversary of the Dogme95 film movement with the new documentary 'Da idioterne startede festen, it named it after one of Von Trier’s films not Vinterberg’s, even though his most famous film ‘Festen’ is known in English as

THE COUNCIL of Europe has ruled that more awareness is needed concerning German, the first language of 23,000 people in southern Denmark. It rules that “more steps need to be taken, in close co-operation with the German speakers" to provide more media services.

Silver in Euros GERANIUM represented Denmark in the European qualifiers of the Bocuse d'Or in Tallinn last month, taking silver to secure a place in the biennial world championships in Lyon next year. Their menu consisted of eel catfish and quail, but they lost points for having a messy kitchen.

Conductor dies ALEXANDER Vedernikov, a Det Kongelige Teater conductor since 2016, has died at the age of 56 as a result of COVID-19 complications.

Pub to reopen THE NEW Dubliner pub on Ny Østergade in the city centre has finally reopened following a long closure that started during the spring lockdown.

In a war-torn world, humanity knocks on your door. Do you dare open?

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SPORT

6 -26 November 2020

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30-year itch: Can 2022 emulate 1992?

HOLGER Rune, 17, received a wildcard for the ATP Challenger tournament in Marbella, but lost in three sets in the opening round. While it has been noted that the tournament’s main sponsor, AnyTech365, is led by a Dane, the ATP is adamant the French Open junior champ deserved his place.

Klopp on the back for FCM FC MIDTJYLLAND may have lost their opening Champions League games 0-4 at home to Atalanta and 0-2 away at Liverpool, but the Reds boss Jürgen Klopp was impressed by how “really well organised” they were.

Young guns of Europe FC NORDSJÆLLAND has the youngest team in Europe, according to CIES Football Observatory. Its average age of 22.7 years is unparalleled in the top 20 UEFA leagues - just ahead of Famalicão (23.1) and Den Haag (23.4).

FCK say yes to Jess FC COPENHAGEN has named Genk coach Jess Thorup, 50, as its replacement for the recently sacked Ståle Solbakken. The former FCM, Esbjerg and Danish under-21 side coach has signed a four-year contract.

Kev’s out of F1 HAAS IS not renewing Kevin Magnussen’s contract to race another season in Formula 1, and it is unlikely he will get another offer. However, the 28-year-old has been linked to IndyCar and Nascar teams. In his six years in F1, his best finish was second, and it came in his opening race for McLaren in 2014. After two seasons there (the second as reserve), he raced for Renault for a year before joining Haas in 2016.

No crowd increase

All Danish final ANDERS Antonsen beat countryman Rasmus Gemke in the final of the Denmark Open, the country’s biggest badminton tournament, in Odense on October 18.

ONLINE THIS WEEK FACEBOOK/PERNILLE HARDER

Don’t rue Rune inclusion

Pernille Harder and the gang celebrate qualification

For the first time in its history, Denmark could be gunning for two major football tournaments next year LUKE ROBERTS

022 COULD be quite an amazing year for Danish football – for both the men and the women. Not only are the men’s side licking their licks at the prospect of their easiest ever World Cup qualifying group, but the women have this past week qualified for Euro 21, their tenth finals, which were postponed a year in light of

recent coronavirus cancellations. Easier draw beckons DENMARK are 98.5 percent likely to be a top seed when the virtual draw for the 2022 World Cup takes place on December 7. Only a disastrous run of form against Sweden, Iceland and Belgium in November would see them slip out of the top seed bracket. The WC qualifiers will be played over a tighter schedule than normal, compressed between March and November 2021.

48 goals in nine! THE DANISH women’s side, meanwhile, sealed their qualification for the next European Championship with a game to spare. Their 3-1 victory away in Italy, who had previously enjoyed a 100 percent record, made it certain they will finish as one of the best runners-up. A consolation for Italy in the second half was the first blip on a goal difference that reads +47. Should Italy, who had not lost a qualifier at home for nine years, not better the result in Viborg on December 1, Denmark will win the group.

THE CULTURE minister, Joy Mogensen, has ruled out allowing more than 500 spectators at Superliga games in the near future – even though the precautions have proven to be foolproof. In other Superliga news, Jacob Friis has stepped down as coach of AaB. His daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia last year, and he wants to spend more time with his family.

NFL first for Dane NEW ENGLAND Patriots guard Hjalte Froholdt, 24, became the first ever Dane to participate in an attacking play in the NFL on October 18. In other US news, San Jose Sharks player Joachim Blichfeld, 22, has joined Frederikshavn White Hawks on loan, but will return to the NFL, where he has played since 2016, once the season starts.

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Glistening to the wind of change

DANSKE Bank instructs its employees to encourage indebted customers to sell through Home, the bank’s own real estate broker, at an elevated fee, according to TV2 and Berlingske. The average customer is overcharged 28,800 kroner. In related news, Danske Bank is expected to move profits abroad to reduce the amount it must pay in tax to support the efterløn early retirement reform from 2023.

Facebook expansion ALREADY totalling over 50,000 sqm in size, Facebook plans to further expand its data centre in Odense by another 30,000 sqm. With this addition, the development cost of the site, which opened in 2019, will amount to over 10 billion kroner, bringing 900 construction jobs with it.

Profits for PostNord FOR THE first time in 15 years, the Danish side of PostNord has posted a profit. Its Q3 profit of 12 million kroner is a significant improvement on the 37 million kroner loss in the same period last year. Sales increased by 5 percent. In recent years, it has cut its workforce from 10,000 to 6,000.

In a confident mood SANJAY Shah, the British citizen based in Dubai accused of masterminding tax fraud at the expense of the Danish state to the tune of 12.7 billion kroner, has told Børsen he is ready to fight a legal case in the event that charges are brought against him in Denmark. In August, a case against him in Dubai was dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Culture a driver – study

Cheap for Lego sets THE COUNTRY is the most affordable in Europe for Lego sets, according to a study compiled by The Toy Zone. With an average set price of 101.04 US dollars, the Danes rank second in the world behind only Mexico (99.96).

ONLINE THIS WEEK GARVARDUNIVERSITY

Accused of overcharging

6 -26 November 2020

After some tough times, Danish companies can feel the wind on their back

Vestas leading the charge with audacious takeover, as many giants of industry return to profit LUKE ROBERTS

T A TIME when most companies the world over are reporting dark days, some of Denmark’s biggest companies are being blown in the right direction. In particular, wind turbine giant Vestas hasn’t let a pandemic get in the way of its strategic plans, logistics monolith DSV is bringing in bigger profits than ever, Nordea and Orsted have posted handsome results, and even SAS is back on track.

Winds of change IN A DEAL worth 5.3 billion kroner, Vestas has bought out its Japanese partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with which it set up a joint venture in 2014 to focus on the co-development of offshore wind turbines. "Vestas is a leader in onshore wind turbines, but in order to accelerate the energy transition and achieve our goals, we must play a greater role in offshore wind," stated Henrik Andersen, the company CEO. Strong results LOGISTICS firm DSV has reported a Q3 operating profit of 2.7 billion kroner – almost 1 billion more than was recorded

in the same period last year. Nordea has exceeded analyst expectations to post a Q3 net profit of 6.2 billion kroner. The Nordic bank’s operating profit rose 255 percent on the previous quarter – and 24 percent on the same period last year. Ørsted's latest quarterly accounts show a 12 billion kroner profit – more than eight times the profit reported this time last year. SAS bondholders have subscribed for 56.4 percent of shares in a recent bond conversion offering. The capitalisation plan restores SAS's equity to the tune of around 10 billion Danish kroner, whilst diluting its shares by 95 percent.

A UNIVERSITY of Southern Denmark study suggests that a rich cultural scene is a significant driver of economic growth in big cities. Looking at the US, Professor Karol Jan Borowiecki describes "a clear connection" between artistic presence and entrepreneurial activities.

Hard hearing THE MARITIME and commercial court has ruled in favour of Ot icon, a Danish hearing aid manufacturer that claimed ownership of an algorithm developed by one of its now former employees. The employee resigned from his position at Oticon in 2012 without having revealed his invention.

Agro takeover SUBJECT to approval, farm supply company Danish Agro has acquired Himmerlands Grovvarer, a Jutland-based agribusiness. In other company news, Grundfos has named Poul Due Jensen as its new CEO. Jensen has the same name as the company founder, his grandfather.

6 -26 November 2020

UNION VIEWS Steen is senior advisor at Djøf, the Danish Association of Lawyers and Economists. He is a blogger and manager of various projects aimed at generating jobs in the private sector. In this column he writes about trends and tendencies in the labour market. Follow him on Twitter @SteenVive.

CCORDING to a recent study, we have 6,200 thoughts every day. My first thought? Well, it’s no wonder I find myself procrastinating … Most will be things we’ve thought about before. Still, if 5 percent are unique, then you will have more than 300 original thoughts every day. Some will be related to a desire within you to make a major change – like applying for a new job. When you think about making a change, your brain first begins to analyse what’s involved and the possibilities it would open up. It may also consider the downsides, like whether you are qualified or what would happen if you do not succeed. We need predictability SOME PEOPLE need predict-

After 20 years in the Danish diplomatic service, including stints in India, China and Israel as deputy ambassador, Signe Biering Nielsen is turning her diplomatic binoculars onto the (in her view) intriguing Danes. She is an executive advisor and coach with a focus on internationals in Denmark. See LinkedIn and Instagram for more details.

Trust and toleration “PEOPLE like us do things like this” is Seth Godin’s definition of culture. Danish society is founded on the trust that everyone (or nearly everyone) is “people like us” who will do “things like this”. For example, they will prioritise community over the individual, not cheat on their taxes, behave reasonably in traffic … and tolerate hygge-sexism – as a mostly fun and informal way of relating to colleagues at work. This could be earthy jokes at

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Cheat your brain EVERY day, look for a win connected to some change you are considering. If it is changing your job, then it could be that you have less desk work, a pay raise or a shorter commute. I find it helpful to visualise myself in the new situation. I simply close my eyes and evoke positive images on my retina.

Over time, these will nudge your brain to choose positive thought paths rather than those clouded by uncertainty and worry. I hope my tricks will help you to move from thought to action – and from a woolly wish to a concrete goal. So, what is your hack? How do you gain the courage to change rather than being suffocated by paralysis by analysis?

the lunch table, or full-on flirting in which both parties participate in a very open and coy exchange. Invariably the Danes roar with laughter (and internationals cringe) at the rather crude sexual innuendos. Tribal at all costs WHILE the Danish ‘Tribe’ (both men and women) is comfortable with this kind of humour, a number of women have been taking the brunt of this particular Danish brand of sexism. If they try to respond, they are met with expressions such as “Don’t be a prude” and “Sexual discrimination is considered a perk”. In addition, the Tribe shares the conviction that people (ergo ‘feminists’) who resist or speak out about hygge-sexism are killjoys. In Danish we call them ‘lyseslukkere’ because they’re ‘switching off the light’ and

SIGNE BIERING NIELSEN

Thought of the day? Don’t get splatted!

PIXABAY

OR MANY of you, the stories in the press regarding sexism in Danish workplaces have been mind-boggling. So why has it taken three years for #MeToo to take off in Denmark? How has all of this been tolerated in this rather equal society – even in the years following the global #MeToo tsunami? Well, the answers are multiple.

ability in their lives more than others. We respond to change differently. Often, we are unsure what a change will bring. If the uncertainty frightens us, then the change process becomes stalled and everything will remain the same. Sometimes we assume that change is likely to be for the worse. This may be due to our inherent survival instinct: better safe than sorry. This instinct trumps everything else, even when it is illogical. The result is paralysis by analysis and nothing happens. In Danish, we say: “There is quite a distance from thought to action.” This has some truth, but you can shorten the distance if you practise cheating your brain by visualising the change.

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Proud to carry the card thanks to Sofie

shutting down the party. This conviction has effectively kept many from speaking out when experiencing unwanted sexual attention as no-one in the Tribe wants to be a lyseslukker. That is not what someone like us does if we want to remain a part of the Tribe. And who doesn’t? In comedy’s cathedral WELL, Sofie Linde doesn’t. At the Zulu Comedy Gala she effectively outed the Tribe. #MeToo took off in a stratospheric ex-

plosion and we could no longer look away. She had the guts and the societal standing to look at the Danish culture of hygge-sexism and name it for what it is: straight-up sexism where the joke is on the weaker party. Furthermore, Linde managed to be a ‘lyseslukker’ AT A COMEDY SHOW and get away with it. The irony of it! The Danish Tribe is hardy and its culture not easily altered. But, just maybe, a woman from the core of the Tribe can bring about change.

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6 -26 November 2020

MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

Mishra’s Mishmash As a regular contributor to the Times of India, the country’s largest newspaper, Mishra is often soughtafter by Danish media and academia to provide expertise on Asian-related matters, human rights issues and democratisation. He has spent half his life in India and the other half in Denmark and Sweden.

ITH THE possibility of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic becoming increasingly real, the Danes once again have to embrace the idea of isolating themselves. But it is not just the fear of an infectious disease that is keeping people from interacting, as the country seems to be affected simultaneously by a second wave of the #MeToo movement, which is affecting almost all of the political parties in Denmark.

Sceptical about future HOPEFULLY, this will all result in a cultural revolution, so that in the future sexual misconduct in the workplace will not be tolerated, with swift dismissals the norm when there is crystal clear evidence. One hopes that young people will learn from this and respect one another's boundaries. It should become an obligatory part of the school curriculum to teach students about appro-

priate sexual behaviour. But one can’t help feeling a little sceptical too. Why, for example, are there photos of some of the complainants partying and jovially hugging those very same men a year later? Is this about women getting more power in society? Never, in Denmark’s entire history, have there been so many women in positions of power. The bosses of most media houses, especially television channels, are women. The country is led

Culture of fear HANS BONDE, a famous researcher, has written a book, 'Vi vil have vores fair andel' (we want our fair share), which claims that a group of feminists in Denmark are systematically pushing men out of jobs. The marginalisation of men and discrimination against men in the workplace in Denmark is common, he claims. It is men who need support now in Denmark, and there should be quotas for men to help them get back into jobs in attractive sectors, he argues. Two-thirds of all school teachers

are women, most of the doctors today in Denmark are women, while most of the school dropouts with no future are boys. As the gender war rages in Denmark, there is one obvious consequence: more loneliness and less social interaction. Who wants to risk his career by flirting with the wrong person? A false accusation could ruin your career. Denmark has the highest share of single parent households in the EU. While the country boasts of being one of the happiest in the world, it is probably also a country where the personal and political choices of its population are making a large portion of them lonelier. Only time will tell whether these recent cases of sexual harassment will create a new culture of mutual respect or whether it will create a culture of fear? FACEBOOK/METTE FREDERIKSEN

Pandemic #MeToo MORTEN Østergaard, the leader of one of the oldest political parties, Radikale, recently had to leave his post because of allegations of sexual misconduct. Similar allegations forced Frank Jensen, the mayor of Copenhagen, to resign on October 19, as well as DR journalist Mads Aagaard Danielsen, whose popular radio show 'Shitstorm' has been discontinued. Clearly non-consensual touching, smacking or sending inappropriate messages can end your career in politics and media. But how many public figures might lose their jobs based on

rumors and anonymous allegations? Across the board, film directors, chief executives and other men in powerful positions are being accused of misusing their power and demanding sex in exchange for contracts, promotions and career advancement. When the allegations are untrue, they can have a devastating effect. In Sweden, Benny Fredriksson, a director at a major theatre in Stockholm, took his own life following a flood of accusations. But as the dust settled, it emerged that many of the claims - including claims he forced an employee to have an abortion - were untrue.

by a female prime minister, and women have increased their representation in almost all fields of influence in Denmark, including science and technology, so why is a gender war breaking out? Is this second wave a new way of marginalising men?

The PM's a lady, the queen's a lady ... it's like 'The Worm that Turned'

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OPINION

6 -26 November 2020

VIVIENNE MCKEE

Crazier than Christmas

The Road Less Taken JESSICA ALEXANDER

Vivienne McKee, Denmark’s best-known English entertainer, is this country’s most beloved foreign import. Over the last 36 years, hundreds of thousands of Copenhageners have enjoyed her annual Crazy Christmas Cabaret show at Tivoli, marvelling at her unique, wry Anglo wit and charm.

More like low-spirited THIS WAS hardly a good start to dealing with the future of online communication during these coronavirus times. As an actor and playwright, at a time when theatres are closing because of social distancing rules, I face having to pursue my profession online. Many theatre makers have turned to digital and lo-fi modes of performance and I can only admire their pioneering efforts. Nevertheless, after watching a few of these, I have to say that they leave me feeling pretty depressed. M for motherf***** DURING one online comedy show, Judi Dench made a surprise appearance. She zoomed in, too close to the camera, and interrupted two messy-looking famous actors complaining about the lockdown. She had forgotten to comb her hair and, shock/horror, she used the ‘F word’. This was not

IAN BURNS PIXABAY

NE AFTERNOON in April, I attended a friend’s birthday party on Zoom in the company of eight friends whose familiar faces appeared on my computer screen. It should have been ‘a Zoom with a view’, but it was the first time I had ever tried Zoom, and so, while the others chatted and joked with ease, I sat staring at the screen wondering how to join in. The host, like a jolly orchestra leader, conducted the conversation, and suddenly it was my turn to say something. I stared blankly at the expectant faces and … froze. I had totally zoomed out.

An Actor’s Life IN 2 ISSUES

Englishman in Nyhavn JACK GARDNER

Green Spotlight SIBYLLE DE VALENCE IN 3 ISSUES

Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER Might as well be performing to the curtain

at all what we had come to expect from James Bond’s boss. I am sure that fans would rather see actors looking terrific in costumes and make-up on stage in a theatre, rather than slouching around in tracksuits in their living rooms. Live or let die MORE TO the point, how can these ‘culture from the couch’ performances replace the live theatre experience? Especially comedy shows. To get a comedy going, the audience really needs to sit very close to each other. People set each other off laughing. At our annual Christmas shows in Tivoli, much of the fun is the audience’s participation; shouting responses, booing the bad guys, cheering the goodies and taking a hapless victim from the audience onto the stage to join in the action. None of this, which is vital to the craziness of the show, is allowed during the pandemic. On top of that, we normally per-

form to a crowd of around 1,000 people at Tivoli’s Glassalen, but now, because of the restrictions, we are only allowed a total of 350 in the theatre, with empty alternate seats. In person, pandemic free CALCULATING the cost and realising that our show will never work on Zoom, we have resigned ourselves to refunding thousands of tickets and postponing it until next year. Performers want to see smiling faces without masks inside a big warm theatre space, and audiences don’t want to see actors struggling to perform inside squares on a computer screen. We must look forward to better times when we can all get physical and have fun again. One theatre critic wrote: “The Crazy Christmas Show is an anti-depressant. Everyone should be able to get it on prescription.” We look forward to cheering you up again when we perform ‘live’ at Tivoli in 2021.

Living Faith REVD SMITHA PRASADAM IN 4 ISSUES

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN

Straight, No Chaser STEPHEN GADD IN 5 ISSUES

Straight Up ZACH KHADUDU

Early Rejser ADAM WELLS

16 PERFORMANCE REVIEW THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 -26 November 2020

Extreme measures and food for thought aplenty

«««««¶ BEN HAMILTON

DIDN’T take many notes watching ‘Extremophiles’, a brand new That Theatre play by resident Irish dramatist Fergal O’Byrne, which enjoyed its worldwide premiere at Krudttønden theatre last week. But one of them simply read “Lots of washing up” and, sure enough, in the bar after the performance most of the cast walked past with piles of it. This was a play with more courses than Noma pre-2016, and pondering their significance is indeed food for thought. Like a thermostat OVER THE first third of the play, it is through the consumption of food that we grow to understand the mechanics of the team manning the Antarctic research station. Ian Burns (Bertram) favours the microwave and he is as quick and sometimes as tasteless as the

food it produces. Lars (Benjamin Stender) is more measured. His Danish classic, when it arrives at the table, is meticulously planned – precision that matches the economy of his language. While Angela (Sira Stampe), the skipper of the station, never serves the others. She takes but does not give. If she doesn’t like it, she swears forcefully – raising the heat like a thermostat. Fergal’s fully-realised vision ALL OF this explains why so much work has gone into the set – and it is all by design. Not only is the kitchen impressive – the standout appliance is the fridge, whose light adroitly signifies the passing of the scenes, which are as numerous as the meals – but the silhouetted sleeping chambers and oval-shaped window are equally sublime, and they are called upon in the closing scenes to render astonishing, unforgettable effects. It’s remarkable to imagine all of this going on in the mind of one man, the playwright, and for it to

be so faithfully realised by what was a collective effort by cast and crew. Claus’s compelling centrepiece SO IF THE set is the menu, and the three aforementioned actors are the hors d’oeuvres, let us savour the impact of the main: the wonderfully named Fiskler (Michael Worthman), the commander of the base and husband of Angela, who returns to relieve her of control. His entrance – following a beautifully orchestrated build-up by director Claus Bue, who swaps his favoured classical melodies for the thrash metal chosen by a headphoned Lars – raises the tension by more than a ratchet. His presence is exactly the protein we have been crying out for, and it is as a four-piece that this band, sorry play, really thrives. Dishevelled yet authoritarian, vulnerable yet soothing, and dynamic yet self-destructive, it’s an intriguing collision of contradictions that Worthman convincingly, and compellingly, portrays.

No exaggeration: it’s bloody freezing outside

Ox’s stomach on this Burns night WORTHMAN’S advantage, of course, might be a lack of familiarity. For Stampe and Stender, these are their umpteenth outings with That Theatre, and we are used to seeing them in showier roles that demand more of their natural charisma. Burns, on the other hand, who has been underused in bit parts of late, has a field day in what is a great showcase for all his talents. Singing, larkery, physicality, milky-eyed dolefulness … and it even permits him to demonstrate

he has the constitution of an ox. He cheerfully eats some of the vilest bacon ever cooked on a stage and then, barely 20 minutes later, devours Lars’s insipid, stinky pork dish. Whatever happened to the artistic director taking all the plum roles?

EXTREMOPHILES ongoing, ends Nov 21, MonFri 19:30, Sat 17:00, Tue & Thu 13:00; Krudttønden, Cph Ø; 165kr, teaterbilleter.dk

Who knew being British, or shy, was this much fun «««««¶ BEN HAMILTON

DON’T REMEMBER how Jody Fish entered the stage in David Cale’s 2017 play ‘Harry Clarke’ (first performed in 2017), but it is testament to his performance that days later I can’t really picture it without him. He filled the space effortlessly, deliberately sharing almost constant eye contact with the audience as he took them into his world. It was hard to look away. But who was this chameleon before us? It was like he was controlling the flow of blood to his face, whether it was as the palefaced child enduring the shameful bullying of his father, or with the brooding intensity he brought to his alter-ego Harry Clarke and more than one seduction scene. It’s jaw-dropping how the

same actor can look both unremarkable and devilishly sexy with a flick of the head. Oh, and he can sing too. Slow starter DANIEL Neil Ash in Michael Ross’s 2018 play The Shy Manifesto, in contrast, made no forcible attempts to connect with the audience. Ultimately this was more of a reveal than ‘Harry Clarke’, a flashback to its straight story, and the more the audience understood, the more they liked it. But while Ash had a weaker onstage presence, he did a better job at bringing to life the characters who punctuated his story. As Callum the protagonist, he could be revealing a great tenderness and then whoosh … the horrific character of his mother’s friend would be brought into action seamlessly – and with no after-

taste of the previous occupant, not even a swallow. That’s quite a skill. His inflection and accent were pitch-perfect, and I found myself really warming to these faceless individuals. Most of Fish’s other male personas, in contrast, were a little one-noted. Only the female characters managed to elicit the same degree of joy as Mr Clarke’s Elstree accent, which was pretty accurate by Robert Downey Junior’s standards. Inspired direction MAKING use of the same bed, the monologues’ respective directors Joseph Sherlock and Jeremy Thomas-Poulsen both deserve credit for helping their charges to deliver close to three hours of pulsating intensity. The action never lets up and the times whizzes by. From a character nearly fall-

ing overboard in ‘Harry Clarke’ Difficult choice to a young man being pinned PERHAPS the biggest flaw of up against the wall in his own this production could be the idea home in ‘The Shy Manifesto’, that audiences will want to see the directors manage to, with both plays. I can confidently minimal props, bring to life the say that Brits will find ‘Harry stories of their protagonists to Clarke’ particularly hilarious, the extent the audience is pat- and that shy people will absoting themselves on the back for lutely love the latter. having such a great imagination. So if you’re shy and British, Their direction is above all this is your lucky … er … nights. brave. Sherlock, for example, For the rest of us, it’s a safe bet recognises that Fish is a great that either play will take you on mover and that there is no lim- an unforgettable journey and it to where he can take us. The wake you up to the wonderful way he uses a sheet to convey potential of modern drama. PS Oh, and a quick note to a sexual act … that could have Mr Clarke. You said you didn’t gone so badly wrong. And while the dancing at the know why people read reviews, start of ‘The Shy Monologue’ as all they do is tell you what the doesn’t really work, everything in play is about. Well … have fun the second half really comes to- working out what’s going on in gether. An imagined flash-forward these two, sunshine. to him cleaning up HARRY CLARKE & THE SLY MANIFESTO shit on Bournemouth Beach really resonates. Bøssehuset, Cph K; run ends on Nov 7

EVENTS

6 -26 November 2020

Harry Clarke

The Cheyenne are Leaving

La Sylphide

Guided Meditation

Extremophiles

ends Nov 7, Fri & Sat 20:00; Bøssehuset, Mælkevejen 69D, Cph K; 165kr, concessions available, teaterbilleter.dk A sexual thriller about an American man who decides to start his life over as his British alter-ego: Harry Clarke. But how long can he lead the life of an imposter? (NJB)

Nov 13-Dec 5, Mon-Fri 20:00, Sat 17:00; Teatret ved Sorte Hest, Vesterbrogade 150; 205kr Tanja Mastilo’s brand new play is set in a fictional world destroyed by war. The protagonist, an isolated writer, welcomes an interloper into his home. The story explores the idea of ‘home’ and how far we will go to hang on to what was once familiar. (NJB)

Nov 25; 20:00, online event; free adm, kglteater.dk/xtra Come and see the sold-out performance of ‘La Sylphide’, free from November 25 on Det Kongelige Teater’s streaming service, KGL Xtra. See Nikolaj Hübbe’s new retelling of the 200-year-old ballet by August Bournonville, set in a world of magic and romance where anyone might fall under the sway of the mysterious creature La Sylphide. (HJ)

Nov 22, 16:00; Vega, Enghavevej 40, Cph V; 265kr, vega.dk Eight months on from lockdown, take part in a performative concert from Vega Arts that explores feelings of isolation and loneliness. Vega invites yoga enthusiasts to their transformed concert hall, where they will be guided through meditation in a sea of ambient light and music designed to provoke the senses. (HJ)

ongoing, ends Nov 21, Mon-Fri 19:30, Sat 17:00, Tue & Thu 13:00; Krudttønden, Cph Ø; 165kr, teaterbilleter.dk In this new play by Fergal O’Byrne, That Theatre Company takes us to a remote Antarctic Research Station, where a group of researchers finds themselves in a near-death situation. How many moral absolutes are there when survival is at stake? (NJB)

Ice Skating

Nov 26, 18:30-20:30; online event; pay what you can,. eventbrite.com Join the London Drawing Group in a class that draws together the history of female artists, explorers and scientists with the art of botany. (HJ)

The Shy Manifesto ends Nov 7, Thu 20:00 & Sat 17:00; Bøssehuset; 165kr, teaterbilleter.dk Have you ever revealed a little more about yourself than you wanted after a drunken night out, because 17-year-old Callum certainly has. This is a tale of coming to terms with yourself, accepting yourself for whoever you happen to be: shy, gay, you name it. (NJB)

Menopause Café

Conversations in Science

English Comedy Night

Nov 8, 22 & 29, 14:00-15:30; Medical Museion, Bredgade 62, Cph K; 75-100kr; museion.ku.dk Join in a series of scientific lectures hosted by the Medical Museion. Conversations will form part of ‘The World is In You’ project, which delves into the entangled relationship between our bodies, our planet and the stars. (HJ)

Nov 24, 20:00; Teater Play, Strandlodsvej 7; 75kr, billetto.dk Three for Two offers a night of improv comedy, with each performance featuring a double-act of some of Denmark’s most experienced stand-up artists itching to make you laugh. (HJ)

Afropop Concert

Nov 27, 18:00; Urban House Copenhagen, Colbjørnsensgade 11, Cph V; free adm, openstage@ ctcircle.dk The Copenhagen Theatre Circle is hosting an open stage night, welcoming performers of all genres: poets, storytellers, standup comedians, singers, dancers, clowns, musicians, and even magicians. Contact the Theatre Circle to sign up for your own five minutes of fame. (HJ)

Nov 7, 20:00; DR Koncerthuset, Ørestads Boulevard 13, Cph S; from 400kr; drkoncerthuset.dk The world-renowned singer Fatoumata Diawara is taking centre stage alongside the DR Big Band. Born in Mali and now living in Paris, Diawara is one of the strongest voices in African music, and not one to miss. (HJ)

Nov 21, 10:30; KaffeKilden, Nordre Frihavnsgade 81; www. menopausecafe.net Come and discuss all things menopausal in a relaxed, respectful and confidential safe space. There is no agenda. The events are held in both Danish and English. (NJB)

Open Stage

Nov 6, Mon to Fri, 09:00-20:00; Strandgade 95; from 50kr, broensskoejtebane.dk The annual Christmas skating rink is returning to Broen to kickstart the festive season. Enjoy hot cocoa or a bite to eat from Broens street food market, all on ice! A turn on the rink will cost you 50kr, but if you bring your own ice skates you can join in for free. (HJ)

Witch Hunt Nov 7-Jan 21, Tue-Fri 12:0020:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00; Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Nyhavn 2, Cph K; from 45kr Dive into a world of witchcraft with Kunsthal Charlottenborg’s latest exhibition. ‘Witch Hunt’ will explore the Nordic witch trials of the 16th-18th century through contemporary art. With new commissions from internationally reknowned artists, the exhibition will explore the history of violence against women and the politics of memory. (HJ)

Feminist Botany

Mask Making Workshop Nov 9, 09:00 & Nov 13, 15:00; Tuborgvej 60, Hellerup; 2,650kr, infocommediaschool@gmail.com If you’re not tired of masks just yet, the Commedia School is offering classes in mask-making of a different kind. Design your own clay mask in true Venetian style and learn more about the history of masks in theatre. (HJ)

Book Festival Nov 7-8; online & various venues; bogfestival.dk This years’ Book Festival (not to be confused with Bogforum, which was cancelled) will be held across Denmark, online and in-person, in English and in Danish. Choose from a range of talks and workshops hosted by publishing houses, authors, and eager readers brought together by their love of books. (HJ)

Christmas in Tivoli Nov 13-Jan 01, 11:00-22:00; Tivoli; various events Come and see the Christmas lights as Tivoli throws on its decorations and brings in the festive cheer. Find Santa in his Christmas grotto, see the parades, or even sample some traditional æbleskiver to get you in the Christmas spirit. (HJ)

Turkish Food Pop-Up Nov 19, 18:00-22:00; Spisehuset, Slagtehusgade 5, Cph V; 400kr, billetto.dk GET A TASTE of Istanbul at the new Pop-up Mehane eatery in Vesterbro. For one night only you can choose from a menu of Turkish delicacies with a Danish twist, with live music and Raki-songs to liven up your evening. (HJ)

Christmas Lights Nov 16, 14:00; Strøget, Cph K; free adm FROM SUNDAY the 16th the streets of Copenhagen will light up with the annual Christmas lights. Though decorations may be toned back this year, shoppers can still enjoy the live music and celebrations as Strøget and Nyhavn light up for the winter months. (HJ)

18 ON SCREENS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 -26 November 2020

The hateful 80s: Dirty dealing/dancing, Dennis' other half and Des BEN HAMILTON

S IT ANY wonder we’re obsessed with figures of hate from the 1980s – the very decade whose excesses are blamed for many of our problems today? Thorny crown to wear THERE’S Margaret Thatcher, of course, who Gillian Anderson will be portraying in season 4 of The Crown (Netflix, Nov 15). At the announcement of her casting, there were many men of a certain age who became worried they might find Anderson attractive in the role, such is the level of continued hate they still hold for a woman who died in 2013. And then there’s Dennis Nielsen, the serial killer from north London who, beginning in 1978, killed at least 12 gay youths and men up until 1983. With their bodies hidden away, and LGBT welfare not particularly high on the police or public’s list of concerns, it was only when a local sewer got blocked up with the victims’ remains that they even realised they had a serial killer on their hands. Judging by the name of the series Des (75 on Metacritic; CMORE; Nov 9), this is more of an affectionate portrayal than Thatcher’s! And while you can’t imagine anyone making a series called Ted or Jeff anytime soon, we are increasingly holding these macabre men in high esteem.

In Alex Gibney’s documentary Crazy. Not Insane (HBO Nordic; Nov 19), identified by many as the perfect fix for those anxiously awaiting the return of Mindhunter (it will be a long wait), it strongly suggests, with the help of Dr Dorothy Lewis, that there is a serial killer inside all of us. How exciting! It’s an industry thing UNTIL The Big Short came along, there weren’t many films or series that really did justice to the Machiavellian machinations of the financial world that first grabbed our imaginations in the 1980s. As much as we hated these champagne-quaffing yuppies and preppies, we secretly wanted to inhabit their world, even if just for one (quickie or) day. But back then, cliche-ridden films like Wall Street and Working Girl failed to cut the mustard. Fast-forward through the next three decades and the corny became plain boring. Even Rogue Trader, the depiction of the collapse of Barings Bank, managed to be dull. But there is something about new British series Industry (HBO Nordic; Nov 10) that suggests this might be the one. Free of the distraction of stars, but with plenty of input from across the Atlantic – Lena Dunham, the creator of Girls, directs the first episode – it has a similar vibe to This Life, but swapping barristers for bankers. Also highly recommended

"No, you stay here, Dennis. Downing Street needs a new doormat"

this month are Oscar hopeful Mank (Nov 19) and British politics miniseries Roadkill (64; HBO Nordic), not least for the presence of their lead actors Gary Oldman and Hugh Laurie, two Brits with their pick of the roles these days. The former tells the story of the making of Citizen Kane through the eyes of its co-screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz. With David Fincher directing, this will be a big Oscar contender. Laurie’s turn as a British minister is low-key in comparison, but no less watchable according to the reviews. Not over the hillbilly yet! TALKING of the Oscars, Glenn Close has gamely dusted herself off after her mauling this year to deliver another strong performance in Hillbilly Elegy (at cinemas Nov 12; on Netf-

lix from Nov 24) with strong support from her bridesmaid, when it comes to never winning a statuette, Amy Adams. Drama-wise, it’s a mostly kitchen sink affair, and Babyteeth (77; Nov 5) and Herself (76; Nov 26), from Australia and the UK, are of similar ilk. In the former, unsung Little Women sister Eliza Scanlen gets strong support from Ben Mendelsohn, while the latter is directed by Phyllida Lloyd (The Iron Lady, Mama Mia!), so we’re in safe hands. Completing the film line-up for November are body-swap slasher film Freaky (Nov 12), Kurt Russell returning to beard up again for The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 (Netflix; Nov 25) and Citation (Netflix; Nov 6) – proof that African directors can make compelling films if given the chance. Over in TV land, the return-

ing series include Virgin River (S2; Nov 27) and Undercover (S2; Nov 9) on Netflix, and His Dark Materials (S2; Nov 17) and Mr Robot (S4; Nov 1) on HBO Nordic. Space comedy Moonbase 8 (HBO Nordic; Nov 9) looks like a better bet than Avenue 5 or Space Force. The Flight Attendant (HBO Nordic; Nov 26) looks like an oddball, throwing together comedy and stopover throat slashing; Gangs of London (68; CMORE; Nov 10) looks like overrated British fare that so badly wants to be Scorsese but is in fact shite; and Dash & Lily (Netflix; Nov 10) is unbearably twee – particularly as festive feeling is going to be pretty low this year. Let’s blame the 1980s and settle down to watch Scully take on Scarface. ‘Tis the season to hate, hate, hate.

danish on a sunday english subtitles Watch Danish masterpieces on the big screen with English subtitles! In November we present Thomas Vinterberg’s ’The Celebration’ and Malou Reymann’s ’A Perfectly Normal Family’. See what’s on at cinemateket.dk or visit us in Gothersgade 55.

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