Pusher II

It is not a common event for a self-respecting festival to screen the same film two years in a row. So there has to be a good reason for it. In this case, the good reason is that this imposing film forms a trilogy with its predecessor Pusher and its sequel Pusher III that deserves to be presented in context. Together, the three films offer the viewer a perspective that makes each individual part more rich and profound. This second part is about the loose cannon Tonny (a highly convincing role by Mads Mikkelsen) who is released from jail and, in no time, sinks further than ever into a world of drugs and violence. And then even his father, who means something within the pecking order of drugs criminals, wants nothing more to do with him. The bravura and convincing nature of the film can give the impression that its production was easy and routine. Nothing could be further from the truth. Parallel to the efforts on the screen, Refn's trilogy was accompanied behind the scenes by an equally titanic production battle. The documentary Gambler, also included in this programme, may not be a fourth part, but provides a disconcerting insight into the creation of the films. (GjZ)