After winning the Silver Bear at the Berlinale with A Royal Affair (2012), director Nikolaj Arcel and Mads Mikkelsen have collaborated once again to create another epic historical drama. Set in the mid-18th century, Captain Rudvig Kahlen declares his aspiration to lead the King of Denmark’s ambitious project of reclaiming barren lands. The nobles of the palace ridicule him as a man of low class, the neighboring landowner does not hesitate to employ various means and methods to drive him away, and colonists are cautious about the dark-skinned girl he raises as a daughter. Kahlen’s life is a series of chaos and suffering that the heath brings, much like Job enduring the endless trials and tribulations of God. The Captain is not a Western hero triumphantly conquering arid landscapes; rather, he grapples with ethical responsibilities towards those sacrificed in the pursuit of erecting the ‘King’s House’ and harvesting potatoes in God′s lands. And who other than Mads Mikkelsen can adeptly portray the protagonist agonizing on the fine line between good and evil? Although based on real-life events, the presence of female characters in the film, seemingly recreated by the director, significantly influences the protagonist’s choices and actions. (Karen PARK)