“Land of Mine” (Under sandet) is a 2015 Danish-German historical drama film directed by Martin Zandvliet. The movie is set in post-World War II Denmark and tells the story of a group of young German prisoners of war who are forced to clear a beach of landmines under the supervision of a Danish sergeant, Carl Rasmussen.
Based on actual events, “Under sandet” depicts the harrowing experiences of young German prisoners of war who are tasked with clearing landmines in post-World War II Denmark. More than 2,000 soldiers, including numerous teenagers, were ordered to remove the mines under the supervision of German officers. Unfortunately, the dangerous work resulted in the loss of 169 lives, while 165 soldiers suffered severe injuries and 167 sustained minor wounds over the course of five months of mine clearing. The controversial agreement was made between the Danish Government, General Georg Lindemann, and the British Armed Forces, whereby experienced German soldiers were entrusted with the responsibility of clearing the minefields.
Review
“Under sandet” received critical acclaim and has a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the film's poignant and compelling story, powerful performances, and stunning cinematography. The movie's realistic portrayal of the human toll of war and its exploration of the complexities of forgiveness have resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a popular and critically acclaimed film.
Awards
“Under sandet” has won several international awards, including the Best International Film award at the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Best Film award at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival. The movie was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards.
Popularity
“Under sandet”‘s popularity is evident in its box office success and international distribution. “Land of Mine” grossed over $3.5 million worldwide and was distributed in over 50 countries. The movie's realistic and poignant portrayal of the impact of war on young people has made it a powerful and memorable film, earning it both critical and commercial success.
| Directed by | Martin Zandvliet |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Malte Grunert Mikael Chr. Rieks |
| Screenplay by | Martin Zandvliet |
| Starring | Roland Møller, Mikkel Følsgaard, |
| Music by | Sune Martin |
| Cinematography | Camilla Hjelm Knudsen |
| Edited by | Per Sandholt Molly Malene Stensgaard |
| Distributed by | Nordisk Film |
| Release date | 10 September 2015 (TIFF) 3 December 2015 (Denmark) |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Countries | Denmark Germany |
| Languages | German Danish |
| Budget | 35.5 million DKK |
| Box office | $3.1 million |