Northwest (2013) User Reviews

Nordvest (from a local's perspective)

[Rasmusolesen1 · 7/10 · 11 November 2013]

The review's I have read above are very much accurate in their description and rating of the movie. So I will not speculate further on this matter.

This review is merely to bring some supplementary information to the table. First and foremost I must tell that I live 1 mile from where the movie takes place, but in a, crime wise, less exposed area.

The story portrays the development of North West very well and in according to the organized crime trends we see in Copenhagen. The director was so passionate about making this movie "real", which is seen by the actor who plays Bjørn, who is actually an ex-con (who have now devoted his life to help people get out of their life as criminals).

I must say that this movie left a big impression on me, and helped explain how the young people living in the tough areas around Copenhagen gets exposed to criminal behavior and therefore are easier to slip into a wrong path.

I look forward to see more form the director, Michael Noer and the main character, Gustav Dyekjær Giese and his younger brother (who also plays his younger brother in the movie), Oscar Dyekjær Giese.

Seemed entertaining

[peter07 · 7/10 · 22 July 2013]

I saw this at Pifan 2013 in Bucheon, South Korea, and while I've seen several Danish movies that were so-so to lackluster, this one was entertaining.

Caspar is a young man who has a single mother and two siblings in Copenhagen. He burglarizes homes and sells the stuff he steals to an Arab thug, Jamal, who cheats him all the time. Caspar is later offered a job with a pimp named Bjorn and starts to earn good money. But Jamal is angry that Caspar is working for someone else and seeks revenge.

The movie was interesting and the characters seemed real, though I don't know much about Denmark. I'd say this was worth a watch, though the ending seemed a bit flat.

Well told, even if heard before

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 4 May 2014]

A nice story of small gangsters trying to stay above water. The relationships in this and the characters are well drawn and avoid getting into too many cliché traps. The movie/script is well written too of course, but it is the actors who carry the weight. It's tough playing off each other and making the audience buy that.

I doubt this will be your first venture into crime story foray, but if you have a knack for European style of showing things (read: not as fancy as a Hollywood Blockbuster would show them), you will really relish watching this. There is violence and there is many adult situations happening, so you should be fine with watching that. If that is the case, there is a more than decent movie to enjoy here

Sad portent of our polarized world

[MagyarRose · 8 August 2013]

I love realistic drama, and the creators of this film maintained the illusion of watching a good documentary, without commentary, but delivering slamming meaning, and meanings, just the same. The proliferation of single mothers raising a family is a bane to society, and young men growing up to think being silent and emotionless is the means to self actualization leads toward the fall.

I could identify with Casper immediately, even being female, and not a burglar. I did not see him as a criminal but one who is flailing in existential angst with no hope of a future to get ahead.

If he had had a Tiger mom, and along with all the other siblings had been made to study, instead of playing video games, and play hooky from school with impunity, there would not have been a movie. The mother is depicted as gentle, not crass, loving, but not having the means to discipline her brew.

Casper's downfall is his ultimate sense of decency his younger brother does not have, and him I see as a criminal mind, a psychopathic personality who can't keep from bragging, and betrays his brother who made the mistake of coming back to help him.

I really felt badly for the gals who were treated as chattel sex toys. Though I have never been in their position either, my heart cries out to all women who end up in such desperate, and deplorable conditions which only result in ultimate abandonment and downfall,symbolized by the hapless gal who gets shot and is immediately just shuffled off, and we are pretty sure it is not to a hospital.

The frightening rise of kids being conceived out of wedlock and raised by single mothers or because of divorce, is not a good sign for the continued polarization of our society between the haves and the have-nots. We not only need more tiger moms, but tiger dads.

Slice-of-life grittiness from Denmark

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 25 July 2017]

NORTHWEST is a slice-of-life drama from Denmark with all of the grittiness and street realism you could wish for. Casper is an unlikeable street thug and burglar, carrying out petty crime for his gangland bosses, and the film follows his journey as he rises through the ranks when working for a new and violent employer. The film does well to avoid sentimentalising its subject matter, and the events depicted are handled well with suspense and sudden outbursts of violence in equal measure. Stylically, it feels similar to the likes of PUSHER, KIDULTHOOD, and the like. It's a downbeat film for sure, perhaps a little too dark and unemotional at times, and the only flaw is the ambiguous ending which abruptly closes the picture just as it gets really going.

Worth one viewing, but too predictable to warrant more

[euroGary · 6/10 · 4 November 2013]

'Nordvest' is a Danish film about a young criminal. Casper is a house burglar who sells what he steals to an Arab gang. But when one of the Arabs steals Casper's watch, Casper - completely missing the irony that he himself had stolen the watch in the first place - starts working for a rival gang, eventually getting his younger (and dimmer) brother involved also.

So far, so predictable - and the film largely is, even down to Casper's tender relationship with his toddler sister - hey, he's a thug with a heart! But a thug is still a thug and so it is difficult to feel any sympathy for him as events spiral beyond his control. In the lead role, Gustav Dyekjær Giese does a nice line in cool, and the film is definitely worth watching once - but only once.

Apparently realistic, but some aridity due to documentary approach

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 31 October 2013]

Even in the welfare society, it is difficult for a single mother to raise 3 children, particularly if two are teens whose need for money and approval is high. And less decent neighborhood includes several lures difficult to resist... Such is the background where two brothers Casper and Andy - leading characters of the film - have to cope. Surroundings is ugly and hard, with lots of gangs and violence, and outside help is scarcely available (incl. police or special organisations) - apart from adult criminals (such as Bjørn or Jamal) eager to use the youngsters' unshaped personality. But sooner or later, you have to make choices, and in such a way living, it is usually between bad and worse... The ending scenes are logical, although the very end could have been less brusque; well, it was intentional, I guess, for viewers pondering on and over.

The cast is rather uneven, the real brothers Dyekjær Gieses depict Casper and Andy well and in a realistic manner, but all the others were uninviting to me. The plot seemed unsteady, floating as well, some scenes remained incomplete or provided no additional meaning to the film. Or I am just unable to see more values because I have been "spoiled" by distinguishable acting (e.g. Mikkelsens, Bodnia, Lie Kaas) and more sophisticated plots (e.g. Vinterberg, Vinding Refn) visible in Danish films.

Dane Pack

[meshborg68 · 7/10 · 24 August 2020]

Really enjoyed this film.Good actors and story.Worth watching if you fancy something different from usual Hollywood action film

Convincing, but lacking redemption

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 10 December 2017]

Michael Noer's 'film 'Northwest' tells the story of a couple of petty criminals in Denmark, who make the mistake of getting into more serious crime than they had perhaps intended. The aesthetic is very similar to one of the sub-plots in the recent television series 'Follow the Money', although without that drama's ludicrous plot. The story is quite convincing, but what's absent is the air of redeeming tenderness that a director such as Ken Loach might have brought to this subject matter: the protagonists are not particularly likable even at the start of their unfortunate journey, not clearly nicer than those who threaten them. The ambiguity of the ending seems wrong as well, nothing is added (and something is missed) with the decision to end the story at what should be its point of climax.

Well told story about street violence, youth crime and its impact on family relationships. Enough developments to keep us interested for 95 minutes

[JvH48 · 9/10 · 2 May 2013]

I saw this movie at the Rotterdam film festival 2013 (IFFR), where it was part of the Bright Future section. It is a story around 18 year old Caspar, who starts modestly as a burglar stealing valuables or electronic equipment on demand. He has a fixed "contract" with Jamal, who buys the loot from him. However, Caspar has plans to scale up, and gradually comes to terms with tough guy Björn. He gets accepted in those circles, and assigned more and more responsible tasks. All is going well and according to plan, until the moment that Jamal decides to have his revenge. This gets out of hand very soon, and you hardly can expect a smooth escape out of this situation, and thus assume a not so very happy end.

The film is named after Northwest, a suburb district of Copenhagen (Denmark). Not only because of a strong reputation of youth crime, this area was also chosen for a simple practical reason: it was open enough to let the film makers in and to cooperate with them. Much knowledge about the neighborhood was acquired by asking around and talking with locals living there. The director made documentaries before, and this was the usual method of operations for him. Moreover, they really tried to blend in while shooting, by living in the apartment (together with mom and kids) that was used in the film as decor.

The information in the previous paragraph was gathered from a final Q&A with the film makers, a considerable subset of them present with the screening. It was the 2nd screening ever, on the day immediately following the world premiere in Sweden. Some of the crew were still recuperating from a hangover, but answered as best as possible on questions from moderator and audience. From the Q&A we also learned that none of the actors is educated as such, but most of them played before in movies or TV series. The way this director makes movies is working without a detailed script, leaving much improvised. The scene and setting is rehearsed before the shooting, but what actually happens after the camera switches on, is merely ad-hoc and left to the actors.

All in all, an interesting plot, giving some insight in how the criminal mind works, and opening lots of opportunities for even so interesting developments. Maybe also a bit about second generation immigrant Jamal versus native Björn, and upholding respect from their respective gangs?? Apart from portraying street violence and youth gangs, the story is also about the impact that this dangerous way of living can have on family relationships. It is really a "way of living" to survive in such circumstances, and not always easy to keep your family out of it, be it to repair the damages when you come home wounded, or when people are waiting for you outside to collect money or have an argument. And it gets easily from bad to ugly by throwing things through the window, or even threatening to set the house on fire.

The festival visitors gave an average score of 4.268 (out of 5), thereby ranking it 21st (out of 178) for the audience award. As far as I'm concerned, this film maker shows indeed a Bright Future, deservedly put in the festival section with that name.

Genuine, But Downbeat Doesn't Begin to Describe It's Feel!

[spookyrat1 · 6/10 · 26 April 2020]

Nordvest is director Michael Noer's follow-up to his debut feature, prison film, R. This time Noer, also co-writer, casts his camera eye towards Copenhagen's north west suburbs, which apparently have a shady reputation if this gloomy, fatalistic flick is anything to go by.

In an unusual occurrence, real-life brothers Gustav and Oscar Dyekjaer Giese play teenage siblings Casper and Andy respectively. They are part of a single-parent family doing it tough in this clearly lower socio-economic area. The story plays out through the perspective of older brother Casper, who is playing the part of a pseudo-father in helping his mother support the family unit, but largely using illegal means to do this. The dramatic content of the film mainly arises, when he leaves one smaller criminal outfit, run by Arab immigrants, for a slightly upgraded unit, run by locals. He also tries to keep his younger brother, who is being victimised and stalked by one of the Arab heavies in particular, from becoming too emmeshed in Casper's lifestyle.

It's an intriguingly sad, but not particularly original storyline and one of the movies main deficiencies is that many of the supporting characters aren't all that well-defined. The movie over-focuses the story on Casper, at the expense of expository development of other players. Even brother Andy emerges very much under-written. He ends up looking like a really dim-witted individual, who unexpectedly undergoes a serious personality transformation three-quarters of the way through the film. The brothers' mother plays this strange role, appearing entirely oblivious and almost disinterested in what older son Casper is involved. Other characters such as Robin, come and go too, behaving in idiosyncratic style, that just doesn't seem balanced in the context of what we see played out.

Nordvest isn't really an action film, but there seems to be an almost overabundance of foot chases in a 90 minute movie. By the closing credits, it's fair to say that a fair percentage of viewers will feel a little giddy, taking into account, the hand-held camera work gets shakier and shakier, as the movie and the chases continue.

Noer's investigations of the ties that bind adolescent criminally-inclined siblings, whilst absorbing, ultimately yield nothing really surprising, apart from a glimpse of Denmark's shadowy nether regions. Worthy of a view it may be, but it isn't great entertainment by any means.

The mastery of showing contrasts

[guisreis · 9/10 · 14 September 2015]

Some people expect that Scandinavia has no problems; here you can see gangs and violence in Denmark. "Nordwest" is very entertaining movie about Danish underworld. Besides that, it is important to highlight the successful narrative strategy chosen by movie makers: exploring the contrasts. Throughout the movie, until the very end, the story alternates between family life and crime, poor and wealthy living, immigrants and white men, intimidation and fear, child innocence and bandit violence, preserving the brother and introducing him to the gang, defenseless prostitutes and mob warriors, noise and silence, fast pace and stillness. I strongly recommend this film. Some people complained about the end, but I think it was a great idea. Indeed, that's the difference between obvious formulas and the mastery of the cinema language.

From small time crime to bigger jobs

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 1 February 2017]

This must be my first Danish movie or at least the first one that I remember. And it was a good one. I would have scored it an eight if it was not for the end that I thought was a bit disappointing. Well at least that's my point of view. It can be totally different for someone else. The story is well written and very easy to follow, even when you have to read subtitles. It's entertaining to watch with excellent acting from Gustav Dyekjær Giese. He plays with his brother Oscar Dyekjær Giese that has a slightly lesser important role but they both did a good job. This crime/drama tells the story of lost youth in Copenhagen, that kill their time with burglary, smoking joints and than evolve to more hardcore crime jobs. It's all filmed very well with good actors and it's pleasant to follow. Good movie.

A realistic escalation of violence

[badtast-tom · 8/10 · 15 May 2015]

This movie relates the story of a young man living in a modest suburb in Denmark. Skilled burglar, he will try to rise the grade of the criminal underworld, underestimating the dangerousness of the consequences of his acts. Far from Hollywood gangster movies, the way this movie was recorded, the scenery as well as the actor's performances plunge the viewer into a deeply realistic violence. Interestingly, the film maker (Michael Noer) succeeded in showing a violence that will knot your stomach without being gore at all which is very rare nowadays. An excellent movie, in the direct line of Gomorra (Matteo Garrone), in a radically different geographical situation.

When crime is not a choice....

[SimonHeide · 8/10 · 21 March 2018]

Casper, our main character earns a living by skillfully breaking into peoples homes and sell the stolen goods to the local receiver (Jamal).

He doesn´t get any respect from Jamal and his men, he is humiliated and it seems that he doesn´t get fair prizes for the goods he has stolen. So one day he is approached by a stranger, that makes a proposition. You get the feeling that Casper senses danger, as well as we does for that matter, as he does not accept the proposition in the first place but later he changes his mind and then the real drama can begin.

The stranger is a guy named Bjørn who is involved in organized crime. He has a brothel (this is usually Hells Angels in Denmark) and needs somebody to handle transport, security and economy and slowly, no, very fast as a matter of fact, is Casper in charge of these assignments. Casper wants to be involved but at the same time we get a very clear notion, that at a certain point he cannot pull out without problems. He is slowly losing control over his own life.

When the old receiver sends out his guys to get Casper back into his old business a conflict of interests has started that can only be ended in one way...... Casper is together with his kid brother brought out into a forest and taught how to use a gun. By the instructions given you get a very, very clear notion that an execution is going to take place.

It´s rare to watch social drama wherein everybody doesn´t stand out on some pathology scale. Casper and the rest of his family doesn´t stand out as sociopaths or having a drug/alcohol addiction. Casper is very affectionate towards his little sister and really seems resourceful here. The mother isn´t introduced much but there is nothing that stand out as suspicious.

So the big question - why does Casper and his brother get involved in criminal activities? Well, the explanation cannot be found within the family so instead....? Its the simple fact of growing up in Northvest - or a ghetto for that matter. Its a society within the society governed by its own laws. The mother knows what is going on - suddenly he wears a Rolex watch and it is as if she wants to have a conversation about this but in the same moment gives up. Alone she cannot fight and win the battle to get Casper back on track.

The pace of the story, the portrait of the characters and the description of the milieu in "nortvest" is put very well together in this movie.

A small masterpiece....

/Simon

Ps. When you read reviews that gives max score check to see if the user has made more than one review. If not consider the possibility of a lobbyist. If you agree consider putting this post scriptum at the bottom at your own reviews.

Captivating Danish gang drama

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 9/10 · 27 December 2018]

18 year old Caspar, along with his petty theft friend is making his money selling stolen goods to gang leader Jamal. But when gets what he see as a more lucrative offer from a rival gang leader, tho gs spiral out of control for him and his impressionable brother. With dogma style hand held camerawork throughout, this is Danish realism at its best.

The Danish Underworld

[pudderino · 8/10 · 13 January 2019]

About a young man trying to make it in the Danish Underworld, Casper is a small time thief who robs houses for a living. However things will soon get out of hand when he gets himself a new 'retailer' and the old one isn't very happy about it. An accurate story about life in the underworld and how young men get exploited of their willingness to earn respect and make it big. A naked and true depiction of how things really are this is a tragic story so I give you a warning before watching this, even though it is very good you might want to pick something else if you are not in the mood for tragedy

Came in with very little expectations, walked away satisfied

[garycn-41901 · 8/10 · 21 June 2021]

Very under appreciated film.. sure it follows typical film making narratives "to a point".. that is undeniable..

But I guess due to NOT being from that area it was a really interesting peek into this genre from their angle..

If they are going to make "street view" projects than I hope ones in future are shot in a way as this one was where it gives a raw feeling.. of peaking in.. Writers and directors of today still rely on ol faithful "go to's to tell there storys , thats just something we all have to deal with... until they dont..

But the project is quite good.. added to my library.

slice from a world

[Vincentiu · 12 December 2014]

violence, family relationship and ways for survive. a good film, predictable in many parts, about gangsters, family, clash of races and dark affairs. all in right manner, without great surprises but far to be boring. more than a film, it is a series of questions about contemporary society. cold and sentimental in same measure, it is only picture of a part from Copenhague and, in same sense, drawing of a radical option. the basic virtue - its universal message. far to be a Danish story, it is a piece from many parts of Europe. and that fact does it not remarkable but special. because it is testimony about a crisis. not new but profound. and the last scene is exactly the necessary question.