Krigen / A War

Vast desert views reach out across the southern Afghan prov- ince of Helmand. Danish company commander Claus Michael Pederson has left his family behind and is now stationed here with his troop. His wife, Maria, is finding it difficult to get through each day alone with her three children and to cope with the knowledge that her husband is living in a war zone. During a routine mission, the soldiers suddenly find themselves in deep water after getting caught up in crossfire. In order to free his men from their unfavourable situation, Claus makes a far-reaching decision. Back in Denmark, he finds himself in court charged with a war crime. In spirit, Denmark finds itself in a similar situation to that of the USA shortly after the end of the Vietnam War. Tobias Lindholm’s KRIGEN is not simply an anti-war statement, but also a multifaceted drama that highlights the hardship experienced by soldiers in Afghanistan, and what it actually means to participate in war as a nation.