My fascination with European cinema has only grown stronger lately. My taste in films is becoming more selective, maybe even a little elitist, which means I tend to skip most Hollywood productions and instead look for quality films in the world cinema category. That’s how I came across the Danish film The Promised Land; also known as Bastarden. But honestly, it was Mads Mikkelsen who convinced me to give it a shot.

A Harsh Land and an Even Harsher Conflict

In the film, Mikkelsen’s character ventures into Jutland, a barren and supposedly infertile stretch of land, with the ambition of founding a colony there. Along the way, he faces countless challenges. But his biggest obstacle comes in the form of a nobleman who claims ownership of the land.

What follows is a deeply engaging historical drama that leaves a lasting impression. Almost immediately after watching it, one question came to mind: why don’t we, in the Netherlands, make films like this?

A Painful Comparison

I could go on a long rant listing all the possible reasons, but I’ll save that for another time. What it really comes down to is this. This relatively unknown Danish film, quietly sitting on HBO Max, feels miles ahead of almost anything I’ve seen from Dutch cinema in recent years.

Of course, it’s possible I’ve missed a hidden gem or two from my own country, but I genuinely wonder why the difference feels so big.

Why Does International Cinema Surprise Me More?

I’m not expecting to find a definitive answer in this short piece, and that’s not really the point. What intrigues me more is why international films, like The Promised Land or even Ninjababy, keep surprising me in ways that Dutch productions rarely do.

Is the state of cinema in other countries truly that much stronger? It’s hard to say. But one thing I do know for sure: don’t sleep on The Promised Land on HBO Max.

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