Leif Sylvester Movies
On the heels of his eagerly anticipated but coolly received stateside debut Fear X, Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn continues the saga that put his name on the film-going map with this ambitious sequel to his popular first film, Pusher. In the first chapter of the series, drug courier Frank (Kim Bodnia) is sold out to the cops by his dim friend, Tonny (Mads Mikkelsen). The prodigal son of prominent underworld heavy The Duke (Leif Sylvester Petersen), Tonny is a universally disliked louse whose constant criminal mishaps have incurred the wrath of nearly every gangster in the region -- including that of his frequently embarrassed and increasingly contemptuous father. As Tonny is released from a recent spell in prison and the elaborate wedding of one of The Duke's loyal henchmen gets underway, Tonny eventually manages to convince his father to let him back into the fold, despite his father's realization that doing so could bring about the downfall of his entire criminal empire. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mads Mikkelsen, Leif Sylvester, (more)
- 1997
This bittersweet teen comedy was the top grossing film in Denmark in 1996. Based on a novel by Jens Peder Larsen, it is the story of 13-year-old Rosa, a delightful young girl who tries to lead a normal teenage life, despite the fact that she only has one leg. Utilizing an artificial leg, Rosa is a typical girl who loves to ride bikes, go for walks and even climb trees. Even so, she quietly worries about the future and particularly about boys. She gets into a bit of trouble near the Christmas holiday when she begins telling everyone in town that she has been selected to play the coveted role of St. Lucia in the annual pageant. Unfortunately, this is untrue. The teacher has actually chosen the most popular girl in class for the role. To add insult to injury, the selected girl is rapidly stealing the attention of the boy Rosa secretly adores. The final insult comes when Rosa suffers a growth spurt and her too-small artificial leg begins to make an appalling squeaking sound when she walks. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
- R
A sister and brother must deal with their parents' divorce in this Danish family drama. It is set during the Berlin crisis in 1962. Carmen, the nervous one, and her brother Adrian, aka Babyface, lead happy lives. Their father is a ceramist, and their mother is an earth momma. After their pappa runs away with an apprentice, the family harmony is shattered. The devastated mother and her children move to a drafty old cottage in the country. The children are outcast by their new schoolmates. Carmen avoids them, but Adrian is bullied. He finally does find a friend, but the friendship is temporary. Adrian's teacher finally provides him the nurturance he craves. An electrical storm brings ominous developments to the little family. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In this comedy, Viggo Hansen (Erik Clausen) has been released, set free, returned to the waters, unhooked, etc. That, at least, is how the company that he has worked at for over twenty years looks at their firing of him. It's a kindness they perform for their workers; a kindness which also permits them to open factories (using cheaper labor) in Portugal. Viggo, on the other hand, has already got plenty of problems, and being unemployed simply brings all of them to a boil. He's middle aged, which is a big enough problem. He has just found out that his son is a homosexual. He can't get along with his daughter and her insufferable husband, and he has completely lost interest in his wife. With all that on his plate, he decides to try having a little affair, and takes off with his new lady-love on a vacation. When that also turns out to be a disaster, he comes home to his wife and discovers that she seems to be wise to the whole thing. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erik Clausen, Helle Ryslinge, (more)
- 1981
Four runaway teenagers become fast friends when they are taken in by a shelter for lost or battered children. Alice (Heidi Zahle Thomsen) is one of the four who seems to get into sticky situations without the slightest idea that she will soon be in deep trouble. But even when she is unknowingly conned into running drugs, her friends come to save her from capture or worse. She reciprocates when they are in trouble, and together, the four show a spirit that just might be enough to allow them to grow beyond their current situation. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Quist Möller
