Warning! Trailer includes Nudity. If that offends you, do not press play!
Above is the link to the trailer for the film Kira's Reason: A Love Story (En Kaerlighedshistorie).
Kira's Reason is Dogme 95 in every sense of the term. At the opening of the film, a Dogme 95 certificate is shown that is a signed, sworn statement by the director, which states that the film will adhere to all of the rules and guidelines set up in the Dogme 95 manifesto (Dogme manifesto above). The film was shot in the Academy ratio on 35 mm film. Also, the entire film was shot hand-held, making each shot shaky. The director did not use any artificial lighting, props, etc. and every sound that was heard in the film was diagetic (within the scene).
The film centers around a woman by the name of Kira who has just left a mental institute and has rejoined her family. The movie focuses on the tension between Kira and her husband, Mads, as they try and work out their marriage. Throughout the film, this becomes increasingly difficult as we are shown that Kira is not completely psychologically well. At one point, Kira has a meltdown at a public pool where she took her children to swim. This is the first time that we are shown outright that Kira still has some issues that have not been dealt with.
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Much of the film builds on the tension of not knowing what Kira is going to do next. One of the main conflicts in the film was not only Kira's madness but her husband Mads' unwillingness to get Kira the help she desperately needed. I found myself rooting for Mads; hoping that Kira would finally adjust to being
back on the outside. That way, Kira and Mads could live a normal life. Mads tells Kira, "I just want a normal life." He loved his wife very much and the thought of what she used to be kept him holding on. There were quit a few close-up shots of Mads holding his wife tight, suggesting that he did not want to "let go." Both characters, Kira and Mads, always spoke about the past; about how things used to be before Kira was sent to the institution. On a few occasions we see Mads looking out of his bedroom window. I saw the window as a sort of allegory for the "on the outside looking in" perspective. Mads is constantly looking from the "outside" onto what used to be his life, but now everything is different. I always got a sense of helplessness from Mads. Throughout the film he gave me a sense that he felt as though he was incapable of helping his wife.
Personally, I really enjoyed this film. Because it is Dogme and cannot maintain a certain genre, Kira's Reason is not your average love story. This film kept me engaged because I wanted Mads and Kira to be happy together. I wanted Kira to be well again. This film kept me engaged, not because of over-the-top effects and stunning visuals, but because of great writing, great camera work, excellent acting, and exceptional directing. This being the first Dogme 95 film I have seen, I am excited for the ones I will see in the future. This is storytelling in it's most raw form.
This film seems to prelude to the hardships and tough decisions no one is excluded from. Having a mentally ill loved one is difficult to cope and live with because they are not in their right mind. Personally, I have a great grandmother who has Alzheimer's disease. Even though I love her, it is hard to see her in the condition she is in. She does not remember my name, what year it is and how to do everyday tasks, like feeding herself or batheing. There is no cure for mental illnesses; there are only medications available to slow the progressions of diseases. This is the hard truth. We wish things could be the way they were, but that day will never come unfortunately.
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