THE MOUNTAINS

Dir. Christian Einshøj | 2023 | 89 min | Denmark | Made In Copenhagen

Two decades after the tragic death of his brother, director Christian Einshøj’s family is falling apart. But when his overworked CEO dad is unexpectedly laid off and decides to sell the family home, Christian goes back home in a final desperate attempt to gather the family and recover what is lost. Armed with 30 years of home-videos, 75 000 family photos and three tightly fitting superhero costumes, he ventures into long-lost territory to confront a 25-year-old tragedy and the hidden wounds left in its wake. A story of fathers and sons, of vast collections of stamps and amateur videography, of long-distance business-class flights and all the other ways in which we flee, instead of talking about that which hurts. A story of the redemption that can follow when the silence is eventually breached.

Director Christian Einshøj: “We need more images and better stories of mental health and masculinity that confirm the idea that actual strength is to dare to be vulnerable and have the courage to talk about the difficult stuff.  I hope the audience will be able to see themselves in my family’s story and recognize my brothers’ courage in putting their feelings into words.”