In a Better World (2010)

Set in Denmark and Somalia ‘In a Better World’ brings both places together in a remarkable film. Of course, it isn’t about place but about people. Vividly portrayed are the lives of the protagonists: their loves, anger, passion and weakness. The film is beautifully shot, making the most of the disparate locations empathising different worlds. Little wonder it has won the awards that it has, the acting is excellent and the directing first rate.

Thought provoking film

Harrowing but excellent. The child actors were terrific.

Doesn't put a foot wrong. Brilliant understated story that keeps you interested from beginning to end. The acting is superb and the whole package is hard to fault. The Danish release was called "Heaven", why the change?

excellent film

A good film but not a happy one! This is a Danish film, spoken mostly in English. If you love a good drama, then I highly recommend this movie, but if you want a feel-good lighthearted movie, don't watch it! This movie centres around the friendship of two young teenage boys - one who has lost his mother to cancer and has a distant relationship with his father, the other whose parents are separated but has a loving relationship with both parents. The movie also focuses on the separated father, a doctor working in a Sudanese refugee camp under very trying conditions, and how his regular absences have impacted on his family. The actors are all very good, especially the two boys, and the family dramas are compelling viewing. The movie culminates in a near-tragic ending, which happily turned out better than I anticipated. I think this movie certainly puts the spotlight on the importance of the father/son relationship. Highly recommended.

I was not able to watch all of this as it seemed to labour the point a bit trying to illustrate the similarities beween the African & Danish scenarios. Probably a very good movie init's own way but none of the characters really rang true for me and the constant switching between the scenrios made the film a bit disjointed for me.. Have still said 3 stars as i can recognize the merits but just not my cup of tea.

This is a poignant & at times intense film about relationships, friendships, broken bonds, and ultimately healing fractured relationships. The characters are raw, human and flawed, and it is quite the journey these characters take you on. The film has a subtle, dark edge to it and it is worth the watch.

This is an extraordinarily beautiful film dealing with less than beautiful themes of violence, bullies, grief and relationships. It has its own pace that allows the nuances of the characters to reveal themselves in sometimes unexpected ways.

i thoroughly enjoyed this film, a little disturbing, but realistic and good to see portrayed.

A surprise in how non-Hollywood the issue of violence and bullying in communities is delt with, but are we all still primative underneath? Certainly makes you think and questions your morals on violence.

A bit bleak but nice expose of family relationships.

A youth who feels alienated from his father after his mother’s death feels anger at the world. A film that deals with several issues but doesn’t quite explain the motives behind the actions. The African sequences don't really add anything to the story.

Great film. Functions on so many levels - gives you lots to think about. Highly recommended

The lives of two Danish families cross each other, and an extraordinary but risky friendship comes into bud. But loneliness, frailty and sorrow lie in wait. Brilliant nothing more to be said

An excellent film that took on the difficult subject of violent bullies and how to counter them mixed in with love lost and gained - beautifully acted and filmed

A must see!

Good film, you knew the direction it was going from early on, but good twists so that you did not guess exactly what would happen.

A really intelligent film.

Wonderful story on how bullies never prosper. Great young actors, and a riveting story. Two thumbs up!

Evil warlord in Africa. Evil child in Denmark. The film tries to draw some sort of parallel between the two, but there is none. The whole exercise is rather pointless. Some drama and redemption in the drawn-out main Danish story are the best to be said for the movie.

The movie is good, but there is something wrong with the format of the dvd. We started the movie about ten times as it kept freezing up. Perhaps because it is a different European format? We managed to see the ending but it was a pain to get there. Aren't these movies tested before release?

One of the best films of the year to date, no question, the younger actors are amazing, and the story is so captivating from beginning to end. A must see. 5 stars. Wow!

I didn't find this anywhere nearly as compelling as her previous outings, Brothers and the sublime After The Wedding, but still recommended viewing.

One of the best 'foreign' films in recent memory and this is despite a somewhat predictable final act.

Brilliant movie - beginning to end!

Brilliant acting even from the youngest. Moving drama realistically filmed.