Denmark in focus at Hot Docs

Kafkaesque police surveillance of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, diplomatic talks between Serbia and Kosovo, three children trying to find their footing, life on an Indian reservation – these are but a few of the stories for the audience, trade and press to experience from 24 April when the Toronto Hot Docs showcases Danish films in the "Made in" series, a recurring programme exploring regional cinemas from around the world.

"Denmark has been at the forefront of high-quality documentary filmmaking, consistently pushing the boundaries of the art form and elevating the calibre of style, substance and approach," says Hot Docs' director of programming Charlotte Cook. "Danish films have always been huge audience favourites at the Festival, and so it's wonderful to have the opportunity to highlight and celebrate them this year."

Doc Mogul Award to Mette Hoffmann Meyer

Also, Mette Hoffmann Meyer of the Danish broadcaster DR will be receiving the annual Doc Mogul Award at a special awards luncheon. Mette Hoffmann Meyer who is documentary film commissioner at DR has helped finance films such as the Oscar-winning "Taxi to the Dark Side", "Please Vote for Me", "Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer" and the Sundance winner "The Red Chapel". Hoffmann Meyer was also one of the driving forces behind "Why Democracy?" in 2008 and "Why Poverty?" in 2012, both worldwide broadcast events reaching audiences worldwide.

The Danish filmmakers will be present during the festival and will be the centre of a celebration, organised by the Danish Film Institute and the national broadcasters DR and TV 2.

Made in Denmark / films

Ai Weiwei The Fake Case
Dir. Andreas Johnsen
A close-up on Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei during his house arrest when it is forbidden for him to speak with the foreign press.

The Agreement
Dir. Karen Stokkendal Poulsen
History recorded on film as EU chief negotiator Robert Cooper tries to end the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo.

Pine Ridge
Dir. Anne Eborn
A look at the life of a group of young people on one of the poorest Indian reservations in the US – also home to the historical site of Wounded Knee.

Beach Boy
Dir. Emil Langballe
Following Juma from Kenya who dreams of a better life abroad. When he meets a British woman, Europe suddenly gets closer. Graduation film, National Film and Television School (UK).

A Different Kind of Boy
Dir. Ulrik Wivel
About Alexander, eighteen and autistic, who is about to leave home.

Four Letters Apart – Children in the Age of ADHD
Dir. Erlend E. Mo
An intimate portrayal of Victor, Martine and Marino, three children with behavioural problems in a special-ed class at a Danish school.

How I Live, As You Wanted To Know 
Dir. Christian Einshøj
The director's grandfather makes a video of his home and talks about his life, one year after losing his wife.

Songs for Alexis
Dir. Elvira Lind
Depicting two passionate teenagers stuck in suburbia, navigating their love story and its place in the world.

Redux / retrospective series 

The Monastery: Mr. Vig and the Nun (2006)
Dir. Pernille Rose Grønkjær
The story about the 82-year-old bachelor Mr. Vig and the young Russian nun Sister Amvrosija is a classic in Danish documentary filmmaking.

"Made in Denmark" is supported by the Danish Film Institute.

Hot Docs 24 April – 4 May 2014

Ai Weiwei The Fake Case

Andreas Johnsen, 2013

After 81 days of solitary detention world famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is put under house arrest. He suffers from sleeping disorder and memory loss, 18 cameras are monitoring his studio and home, police agents follow his every move, and heavy restrictions from the Kafkaesque Chinese authorities weigh him down. Journalists, the art world and his family all want a piece of him and on top of that he is met with a gigantic lawsuit from the Chinese government, soon to be named 'The Fake Case'.

The Agreement

Karen Stokkendal Poulsen, 2014

World history is in the making when EU chief negotiator Robert Cooper has to settle an agreement on stable co-existence between Kosovo and Serbia. New Danish documentary by Karen Stokkendal Poulsen brings its audience right into the core of these intense negotiations. Stakes are high but in spite of the seriousness of the negotiations, they turn out to be surprisingly funny and carried out with style and charm by the three characters at the table.

Pine Ridge

Anna Eborn, 2013

19 year old Bert sits in the shades of a tree in Yo Park. Cassandra Warrior feeds her daughter Diamond Rose. Daniel Runs Close sweats under the sun at Wounded Knee Memorial site.

A Different Kind of Boy

Ulrik Wivel, 2013

Alexander is autistic. The film opens on his 18th birthday, where he is surrounded by his mother, step dad, older brother and a handful of friends of the family. During the course of a speech given by his mother, it becomes evident that Alexander faces a new beginning in life.

Four Letters Apart - Children in the Age of ADHD

Erlend E. Mo, 2013

The film follows three children at odds with themselves and the world around them, at a time when more and more are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Victor is 7. He hates ADHD, believing it's something to do with his club feet.

Songs for Alexis

Elvira Lind, 2014

A timeless love story about two American teenagers and their struggle to find both love and an individual identity in a grown-up world. Ryan is 18 and a very talented musician. Four years ago he came out as a transgender person and began the difficult transformation from girl to boy.

The monastery

Pernille Rose Grønkjær, 2006

This is the story about Mr. Vig, a well educated 86 year old bachelor, and Sister Amvrosija, a Russian nun, who by chance, or destiny, becomes part of his life. Mr.