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Film

Land of Mine ★★★★

by •
ABR Arts • 27 March 2017
Film

Land of Mine ★★★★

by •
ABR Arts • 27 March 2017

Martin Zandvliet’s Land of Mine is unsettling from the very outset. During the credits a recurring sound becomes audible, then consuming: the sound of heavy, ragged breathing. Sergeant Carl Rasmussen, sitting in Danish army fatigues and a maroon beret, he is watching a column of grim-faced German prisoners of war. Inscrutable, he drives past soldiers, then stops and throws his jeep into reverse. He jumps from the vehicle to assault a German who is carrying a Danish flag. ‘This is not your flag. This is not your home!’ Punching the German in the face, Rasmussen screams, ‘This is my land!’

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James Dunk

James Dunk is a historian and writer living in Sydney, on Wangal country. His latest book, Bedlam at Botany Bay, was published by NewSouth in June.

Leave a comment
James Dunk

James Dunk is a historian and writer living in Sydney, on Wangal country. His latest book, Bedlam at Botany Bay, was published by NewSouth in June.

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Comment (1)

  • The film is not only about a disgrace - it is disgraceful. For a director to play with suspense of this type and degree is barbaric. I walked out and I'm surprised more people in your viewing didn't walk as well. One of the reviews for the film even used the word 'humane', and despite an excuse that the film might deter viewers from engaging in war, it's a monstrous experience to watch a re-enactment of boys (so young, so innocent) picking away to defuse a landmine, fearing that they will set it off, and, yes, that's exactly what occurs every so often. After 2 healthy bodies were blown to smithereens, I couldn't believe that so-called civilised audience members would continue to subject themselves to such horror. I'll spend my time on anti-landmine projects instead. How many from among the film's audiences will?
    Posted by C V Williams
    28 March 2017