DR Sales, based in Copenhagen, has secured international rights for the highly anticipated opening film of the 21st CPH:DOX Festival, “Life and Other Problems.” Variety is proud to present the exclusive trailer debut below.
Directed by Danish documentary filmmaker Max Kestner (“Blue Collar White Christmas,” “Amateurs in Space”), this playful yet existential film is produced by Denmark’s Bullitt Film (known for “Absolute Beginners,” which received the Prix Europa), in collaboration with Ruben Östlund’s Plattform Produktion from Sweden and Hopscotch Films from the U.K. Bullitt and Plattform previously collaborated on the 2023 Sundance special jury prize-winning documentary “And the King Said, What a Fantastic Machine.”
Kim Christiansen, Executive Producer overseeing documentaries and co-productions at DR Sales, commented on the acquisition: “Max Kestner has long been one of Denmark’s most astute filmmakers, and I have personally admired his work since his 2002 TV series ‘Blue Collar White Christmas.’ It’s an honor to collaborate with Max on what promises to be his most compelling film to date. ‘Life and Other Problems’ is witty, insightful, and provocative, sure to ignite conversations wherever it is screened. We have every confidence that the film will resonate widely.”
In “Life and Other Problems,” Kestner embarks on a thought-provoking journey of self-exploration and existential inquiry, sparked by a seemingly unlikely event: the controversial killing of a giraffe named Marius at the Copenhagen Zoo in 2014, which stirred global outrage.
Through a blend of philosophical musings and scientific perspectives provided by experts such as biologists Karen Lloyd, Eske Willerslev, and Charles Foster, author of the best-selling book “Being a Beast,” Kestner delves into fundamental questions about human perception of life, our place within the ecosystem, and our connection to other species.
Reflecting on the genesis of the film, Kestner explains, “The death of Marius the giraffe serves as a striking illustration of humanity’s complex relationship with life, both individual and collective. It epitomizes our perpetual fascination and bewilderment with the mysteries of existence.” He adds, “Through ‘Life and Other Problems,’ I aim to explore profound inquiries about the nature of life itself, the forces that govern it, and our quest for meaning in an inherently uncertain world.”
“Life and Other Problems” will premiere at the CPH:DOX opening gala on March 12, where it will vie for the festival’s coveted DOX:Award.
DR Sales boasts a diverse catalog of premium documentaries, including the acclaimed Norwegian film “A New Kind of Wilderness,” winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the recent Sundance Film Festival.
CPH:DOX, Copenhagen’s premier international documentary festival, is scheduled to run from March 12 to 24, showcasing a rich array of thought-provoking films from around the globe.
