Written and directed by Magnus von Horn, co-written by Line Langebek Knudsen, Karoline, a young factory worker, finds herself abandoned and pregnant while striving to climb out of poverty in post WWI Copenhagen. Amidst her struggles, she meets Dagmar, a charismatic woman running a hidden adoption agency within a candy store, helping poor mothers in finding foster homes for their unwanted children. Starring: Vic Carmen Sonne, Trine Dyrholm, Besir Zeciri, Ava Knox Martin, Joachim Fjelstrup, Tessa Hoder and Ari Alexander.
There are many films that take their viewers down extremely bleak paths only to discover they never really give you a justification for that grim journey, The Girl with the Needle is not one of those. Magnus von Horn and Line Langebek Knudsen’s script asks a lot of ethical questions about living in a harsh, unforgiving reality with little hope. It goes to some dark places and takes a patient, tense and smart route to get there.
One of the factors which undoubtedly makes this poignant exploration work so well is the tone von Horn establishes. It’s akin to The Devil’s Bath in that it dips into genre, especially when combined with the score, it adds in an edge of horror. That then helps to build a compelling sense of foreboding which leads The Girl with the Needle in exactly the right direction. Not to mention that the aesthetic itself is incredibly strong with a fantastic texture which immediately has an engaging presence.
A factor that’s enhanced further with Vic Carmen Sonne as Karoline, she creates the perfect balance between naivety and resilience. You couldn’t really ask for more from a lead for this story, much like that ominous tone, she directs viewers right where they need to go. It’s hard to describe everything she brings to this performance but there’s an underlying faith and tenderness which is the heart of the film.
Whereas Trine Dyrholm gives us something very different, there’s a fierceness and forthright nature to her Dagmar. Dyrholm undoubtedly portrays this character in a way that you will not forget her anytime soon. The way that she delivers the final scenes with such power, summing up the quandaries posed by The Girl with the Needle and accenting the finale with a brilliant note on the average mentality in their world.
The Girl with the Needle is harsh and grim but fascinating. To watch Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm create a bond between these two women is compelling before you even add the many different layers that this film has to offer. There’s a lot of issues at work here and they’re all wrapped in a brilliant package from Magnus von Horn and Line Langebek Knudsen. The direction and cinematography (by Michal Dymek) are excellent, the progression is gradual but captivating, and it is undeniably memorable.
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