Flame & Citron
March. 25,2008 NRGunman Flame and his partner Citron assassinate Nazi collaborators for the Danish resistance. Assigned targets by their Allies-connected leader, Aksel Winther, they relish the opportunity to begin targeting the Nazis themselves. When they begin to doubt the validity of their assignments, their morally complicated task becomes even more labyrinthine.
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Reviews
I wanted to but couldn't!
Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
«Flammen og Citronen» is a fantastic portrayal of the danish resistance movement during the II. W.W. In addition to being a great historical portrait, it gives an outstanding insight into the depth of war, especially how war - under any circumstances - is 'a loosing game'. Hate, and hate towards a collectively created, one-dimensional enemy, is maybe the most important component in understanding how some of the nazi-sympathizer where able to carry out some of the most cruel deeds ever known to mankind. Nevertheless, hate blinds also the good man. War and humanity are incompatible sizes. Beautiful cinematograpy and brilliant performances. 9/10
FLAME & CITRON wants to be a Danish ARMY OF SHADOWS, but lacks the skill or the insight. It tells the story of two real-life Danish resistance heroes, who operated as assassins against the German occupiers and Danish collaborators. The film wants to go beyond patriotic hyperbole though, by pointing out that the resistance groups themselves could be self-interested or wrong, and that assassination was still often cold, ugly murder. This is commendably mature but the storytelling isn't up to it; instead it's long-winded and dull. The film mistakes faces in shadow, pill popping and sweat for character but it isn't; their internal lives are never illuminated, so it's hard to care. The film finally ends with a big, silly, over the top shoot-out.
It's a convenient myth that in any war, people are just the unfortunate casualties of the pursuit of military objectives. But often, the military objective is the killing of people. 'Flame and Citron' tells the story of two fighters in the Danish resistance, who systematically kill collaborators with the occupying Nazis. Potentially, it's a rich subject, and it also explores themes of loyalty and trust. But there's something of a boys-own adventure feel to it, with improbable escapes, an endless succession of slayings, fairly thin motivation and the relative moral ease with which it's possible to endorse the resistance over the Germans. It's an entertaining yarn, but it didn't quite convince me that this is exactly what being in the resistance would have been like; while I've seen deeper explorations of collaboration and treachery elsewhere.
I find this story as powerful as other more well known historically accurate pictures. Schindler's List comes to mind. The two tell similarly obscure stories for an American in an impressive way. What I liked the most about Flame & Citron is its examination of personal mores in a desperate situation, across a diverse collection of individuals and roles. Assassins must weigh God-given moral boundaries against the "all's fair in war" freedom. Controller has to balance his devotion (or lack of it) to the resistance with the need to function openly in occupied Denmark. Informer must balance love for individual, hatred of war/Nazis, and desperate need to survive war. Story was powerfully told; I'd like to see an Eng. language production of the same, with as many performers from original as possible. Mads Mikkelsen's Citronen was particularly strong character. Less known history of WII is still as captivating and moving as ever.