Submarino

"Submarine" is the story of two brothers without resources, chased by a tragic past. Nick, a traumatized ex-convict, fights against his painful memories and loneliness while trying to reconnect with his younger brother, a single father and heroin addict.

They have not finished yet their elementary school, but Nick and his younger brother already know what poverty, beatings and alcohol are. Although they are tough guys, they have fun with their new brother, born a few weeks ago. These brothers try to reduce the deficiencies of an alcoholic mother, feeding the baby, looking after him and giving him the affection they never got. Despite this short glance of hope, this one will be chasing them for their rest of their lives.

It is winter and Nick, now a man about thirty, lives in a gloomy apartment owned by the social services. Moody, anguished, having a difficult time to control his anger and to open himself to others. He fails to reconnect with his little brother. He dedicates now his time to lifting weights, and when the effort is not enough to scare away the bad memories and loneliness, he turns to the strongest beer he can afford.

Unable to show affection to his neighbor Sofie, he uses his fading beauty to satisfy her sexually. The forced smile and optimism shown by Sofie, in reality, hide a deep sadness. Her way of salvation might be in love or in the fight to regain custody of her son, but she is too immersed in her solitude and alcohol.

Nick communicates better with Ivan, the brother of his former girlfriend. He tells him that he has recently set free from prison. He was in there for beating brutally a man after Anna broke up with him two years ago. Nick feels a big weakness for Ivan, a sex maniac, but he does not understand the seriousness of his illness.

For Nick’s younger brother, there's nothing more important than Martin, his six year old son. But as much as he loves his child, behaving like a responsible parent is not easy for an addict. Although the social workers threaten him to withdraw custody of his son, he often ends up buying heroin instead of food. When he inherits a large sum of money, he does fill the fridge again with food, but also he buys drugs to resell. His addiction problem will have as a result a painful separation from his son.

Nick and his brother have always tried to love, to forget and understand. Finally, the two brothers will reunite and will understand that not everything that happens is their fault.

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Writers: Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm

Stars: Gustav Fischer Kjærulff, Sebastian Bull Sarning and Mads Broe Andersen