Waterford Film For All kick off the new 2025 season with Rose by director Niels Arden Oplev
Set in the late 90s, Ellen and her new husband Van decide to take Ellen’s older sister Inger on a bus trip to Paris where Inger once lived. Inger is schizophrenic, and lives in a care home coddled by her overprotective mother. Ellen sees their holiday as an opportunity to reconnect, and to find out if Inger might be able to live more independently. Inger herself has a hidden agenda for the trip – hoping to track down a lost love.
Rose is based on director Niels Arden Oplev’s own family history and is full of feeling. Sofie Gråbøl’s performance is the film’s highlight. She inhabits Inger, bringing her to life and presenting all her complications, impulses and anxiety with grace.
Reviews
“Gråbøl is superb throughout, recognising Inger as a complicated individual who has a lot more going on than just her illness.”
– Jennie Kermode, Eye For Film
“The writer-director, Niels Arden Oplev, based the film in part on his own experiences, and the movie keenly illustrates how stigma surrounding mental illness hurts neurodivergent people and their families.”
– Natalia Winkelman, The New York Times
“Carried by a brilliant lead performance from Sofie Gråbøl, it’s a fine depiction of mental health and a heartening espousal of our shared humanity.”
– Louis Roberts, The Independent
Highest rated film at May Screening Day 2024: 93%
