By far my favourite film of MIFF so far is Brotherhood (Broderskab), a Danish film by Nicolo Donato, which delves into the world of neo Nazi movement in Denmark and the secret love affair that two of the skinheads find themselves caught up in. The tagline from the MIFF programme called it “More than just a Gay Neo-Nazi film” and I could not agree more. The way that Donato deals with the delicate and sensitive situation that protagonists Lars and Jimmy put themselves in is treated with the utmost caution and is beautifully executed.
Lars who becomes disillusioned by his current career path when threatened to step down from his position due to Homosexual claims made against him, finds himself caught up in a recruitment campaign by Jimmy and group leader Fatty to join the Neo Nazi movement. Fatty sensing that Lars has serious potential, as he is a strong thinker and a quick talker, pairs him up almost immediately with Jimmy, who is Fatty’s right hand man in their chapter of the operation. Jimmy is repairing the brotherhoods vacation property down by the beachfront, and it is here that Lars and Jimmy bond and eventually, fall in love.
Donato deals with both the men’s quiet yearnings for one another with such finesse; you can’t help but feel so deeply for the characters when they finally both get what they want. Jimmy at first, not being able to deal with what he has done, having his beliefs entirely challenged, acts out and tells Lars to leave and never return. There is a lot of internal struggle in the film, both men coming to terms with who they are and how they feel, and how this fits in with their strict beliefs. Everything is challenged when Jimmy’s younger brother Patrick, who is also a member of the brotherhood, discovers their secret. From then on, everything spirals out until it’s remarkable and utterly shattering climax.
Beautifully shot, the locations are beautiful too, the beach house where a lot of the action takes place provides and sets such a subtle tone for the film. A palette of grey and blue hues fills the film. There is one remarkable scene, at the height of Jimmy and Lars flirtatious period, where they attend a white supremacy meeting. A band (Aryan Bullet) is introduced, and you expect loud punk music to ensue. However as the singer from the band, stage dives over the crowd the footage is slowed down and mellow folky song takes the raged music’s place. All the skinheads proceed to mosh and circle pit about, as Jimmy and Lars lunge at each other, and have each other in a head lock. The intensity and ferocity in their movements is captured beautifully.
Although you may scoff at the idea of gay skinheads at first (I will admit it does seem a week premise for a film) but seriously, Brotherhood was a captivating, emotional and beautifully filmed. If you get a chance to see it I highly recommend you do.
FOUR STARS
