Sons of Denmark

A year after a deadly bomb attack in Denmark, ultra-nationalist politician Martin Nordahl and his National Movement are leading in the polls. Influenced by his unabashedly anti-immigrant rhetoric, society has rapidly turned on ethnic minorities, especially those with an Arab background.

In this climate, 19-year-old Zakaria feels compelled to act to protect his own and his family’s safety. However, to do what he feels is necessary to turn the political tide, he needs to abandon his mother and little brother. Zakaria gets involved in a radical organisation, where he forms a bond with Ali. The two men cannot agree with the current state of the country, which is turning on its own citizens because of their migration background, and decide to act. However, they are both just tools in the hands of people with power. As the men try to make their mark, their brotherhood will be tested and their actions will have grave consequences on their lives.

This political thriller has shades of traditional tragedy and revolves around the question: How do you stay calm when society succumbs to fear and hate? Director Ulaa Salim’s script for his feature film debut was inspired by political and societal developments in Denmark and abroad. The fact that the film plays out mostly at night, or in places the sun never shines, underlines its dark undercurrent and claustrophobic atmosphere.