Flame and Citron

1944.  The Nazis occupy Denmark and the Resistance grows fractured and weary.  The Allies will come eventually, but when?  And who will arrive first, the Russians or the Americans?

Welcome to the world of FLAME AND CITRON.  The film, based upon the lives of Danish national heroes Flamme and Citronen, begins in the dark days of the war, then gets darker.  Flamme and Citronen, an assassination team, have made a name for themselves by targeting Danish collaborators.  But when the word comes down to start going after Germans, the duo go from just another thorn in the Gestapo’s side to Enemy #1.

This film works simultaneously as a spy thriller, a study of the effect of killing on the human soul, and a showcase for some of the most beautiful cinematography I’ve seen in some time.

As a spy thriller, FLAME AND CITRON covers all the bases.  It has double and triple agents, mysterious meetings in dark niches, and levels of intrigue among different levels of an already shady command structure.  It has shootouts, close escapes, and the paranoia that comes with resistance.  And no one knows how things will turn out, because this is a true story.

While the spy thriller aspect of the film moves things along, FLAME AND CITRON also works as a character study.  What kind of man shoots people in the head during the day, then goes home and sleeps at night?  Are some men born that way?  Can others train themselves to it?  And what kinds of men pull the strings of the trigger pullers?  Can they be trusted to wield their power responsibly?  What if they can’t?

So we have a good story, one with some meat on it.  FLAME AND CITRON presents the story wonderfully well, with outstanding cinematography by Jørgen Johansson.  The film cost $10M, but it looks much more expensive than that.  Though a combination of cleverly set up shots and seamless location and matte work, this film puts us right into wartime Copenhagen.  It’s gorgeous.

Simply put, FLAME AND CITRONEN works in every way.  I’m glad I saw it.