The Kingdom II (Riget II) Episode 5 & 6

Sequel to the successful cult series Riget/The Kingdom. The Kingdom from the title is the nickname of an estimable hospital in Copenhagen. It was built on age old marshland that shelters indignant spirits from the past who demonstrate their disapproval of the modern medical techniques used their with increasing fervour.After his return from Haiti, the Swedish neurosurgeon Stig Helmer gets into trouble right away. His failed surgery on the unfortunate Mona puts him in danger of prosecution and his colleague/lover Rigmor does everything she can to marry him. The local hypochondriac Mrs Drusse is run over by an ambulance the first time she sets foot out of the hospital and has a near-death experience. Judith's baby grows at an incredible rate. Born with the head of an adult (a 'double' role by voodoo doctor Udo Kier), its body soon bursts out of the room. In view of all the conflicts and intrigues in the hospital, it is no surprise that professor Moesgaard seeks psychiatric help.The complex, absurdist hospital-soap parody Riget II by Lars von Trier and co-director Morten Arnfred is funnier than ever and more targeted at the spiritual world. The characteristic shooting style remains: rapid, hand-held sepia-coloured video shots that were transferred to 35mm to achieve a grainy effect. For the fans: shooting for Riget III starts in the summer of 1998.