World War II was humanity’s darkest hour.
However, not every story has been told.
One such isMartin Zandvliet’s 2015 Oscar-nominated filmLand of Mine.
Image via Nordisk Film
The titleLand of Mineis twofold.
It authorized German POWs to be used to clear Denmark’s minefields.
The boys are dangerously and hastily trained under duress.
This prepares you for the haunting power dynamics that unfold throughout the story.
Apart from the psychological intensity, the ever-present literal threat of an explosion inLand of Mineis hard to ignore.
Zandvliet’s direction that raises tension over this is laudable.
One by one, Zandvliet makes them enter the chamber that has the bombs they are tasked with defusing.
A loud bang means one thing: the boy inside did not make it.
Leaving the chamber with a defused UXO means success.
On the shore, Zandvliet showcases the process of detecting and defusing the bombs with excruciating detail.
The camera tilts from anguished faces trying to concentrate on the grave matter at hand, to trembling hands.
When an explosion occurs, it is shocking and abrupt.
Zandvliet rarely shows graphic images of the aftermath at a close range.
Zandvliet uses wide shots to show the beautiful, serene Danish coastline that provides a false sense of security.
It’s a moment that grips you by the throat.
The opening sequence sets this pace.
This immersive use of auditory elements is constant throughout the film.
The sparse musical score bySune Martinadds to the auditory haunting feeling the film creates.
