Writer-director Lasse Lyskjaer Noer’s short Knight of Fortune is morose, gloomy, and very dry humor-wise. Karl (Leif Andrée) has lost his wife and must face her lifeless body in the hospital. The room has a malfunctioning light, so he futzes with that rather than encounter his darling’s empty shell. Then Karl runs into Torben (Jens Jørn Spottag), who is searching for his wife’s remains. He claims to have found them at this funeral chapel. Torben asks Karl if he would be kind enough to assist him in opening the casket.
“Torben asks Karl if he would be kind enough to assist him in opening the casket.”
What follows is a strange, chuckle-worthy experience that could only be imagined by a Nordic sense of humor. Noer is very good at creating uncomfortable situations for the comedy. Recounting the classic pop standard Knight of Fortune and referencing how badly the women folk sang is quite charming in a very dry way.
This is a lighthearted, slight downer of a film. Knight of Fortune would definitely be worth watching if you want to experience how different cultures grieve. It’s a very sweet and short film.
"…very sweet..."
