I saw a remarkable film the other night called “In A Better World”, and I thought it was so amazing that I had to write this, my first film review, to encourage others to see it.

I came upon it accidentally through Netflix’s suggestions. It’s a Danish film, and it won the Academy award for Best Foreign Language Film back in 2010. It’s a complex drama that deals with many subjects, but mainly with the origins of violence and how one deals with bullies.

The central relationship of the film is one between two teenage boys, both outsiders in school, who bond when one of them helps the other by attacking and severely beating another boy who bullies him at school. Both boys have difficult situations at home. One’s parents are separated, and the other recently moved to Denmark after his mother died of cancer.

The bullying theme is repeated throughout the film. First there are the bullies who pick on the boys at school. Then there is a rude and violent adult who smacks the father of one of the boys, without provocation. And most disturbingly, there are long sequences that take place in an African refugee camp, where the father works as a Doctor. The refugees there are preyed upon by an evil “big man” who rapes and stabs young women with impunity.

The way that the plot resolves these challenges to the character’s attempts to lead peaceful, civil lives is surprising. And although the Director clearly has a point of view, the film is never preachy and doesn’t fall into simplistic moralization. One of the truths that’s revealed by the plot is that we are all capable of violence when backed into a corner, no matter how abhorrent we think it is. It’s not an easy film to watch, but resonant, and everything that occurs feels like real life.

Aside from the complex and thought-provoking plot, the film is shot beautifully, and the acting is excellent from all of the principals. The Father / Doctor is especially nuanced in his performance. It was Directed by a woman named Suzanne Bier. She has been working in Denmark for many years, and I’m going to catch up to her other films now. “In A Better World” is one the most interesting films I’ve seen in a while, and I recommend that everyone see it. It’s well worth the time.