QUEEN OF HEARTS (2019): Review by FF2 Media

Dronningen/Queen of Hearts Directed by MAY EL-TOUKHY Nordisk Film Production A/S Produced by CAROLINE BLANCO & RENE EZRA Photo Credit:ROLF KONOW is a must

Written by Maren Louise Kaehne and May el-Toukhy and directed by el-Toukhy, Queen of Hearts is a chilling drama about a powerful and successful lawyer and mother whose life runs the risk of crumbling when she becomes involved with her stepson. This film is a masterfully crafted testament to the dark secrets lurking below what appears to be a “perfect” life (JRL: 4.5/5).

Review by FF2 Intern Julia Lasker

We begin with an introduction to the life of Anne (Trine Dyrholm), which looks more or less like the dream. She works as a lawyer representing young victims of abuse which, combined with her husband Peter’s (Magnus Krepper) demanding job (which is never specified), has earned her a beautiful home in the middle of a sunlit and magical forest. She has two loving and playful daughters who ride horses, and somehow she and her husband still manage to entertain guests on the weekends. She’s basically the poster child for working moms. 

However, we get a sense that she’s beginning to feel trapped in this aesthetically perfect life, rather than blessed by it. Peter is constantly on business trips, leaving her alone in the big empty house while her kids are horseback riding. The conversations between him and their guests are less than riveting; at one point, she blasts “Tainted Love” and, tuning out the small talk, dances around her baffled companions. On paper, Anne has it all, but evidently she’s looking for something more. 

For better or for worse, her subconscious prayers are answered when Gustav (Gustav Lindh) arrives on the scene. He’s your classic “bad boy;” he must stay with Anne and Peter because he’s been kicked out of yet another boarding school. There is an uncomfortable, forbidden tension between him and Anne from the start, and her efforts to connect with him come closer and closer to seduction until they are just that. Pretty quickly, Anne is having an affair with her stepson. 

What ensues is a story that’s tense, riveting, and unpredictable at every turn, as Anne must balance her uncontrollable desire for Gustav with her duties as a wife, mother, and (ironically) sexual assault lawyer. 

The production design and cinematography of Queen of Hearts are striking. Anne’s house and her office are both stunning: clean, well-decorated and chic. When Anne is portrayed in these environments, she fits right in, as if she’s just another part of her expensive decor. We see the enviable life she leads represented visually in the effortless lighting, the glint of a clean wine glass, the vast rooms of glass and stained wood. The aesthetic perfection is set against an upsetting and twisted storyline, which really amplifies the contrast between the image Anne maintains and the dark secrets beneath. 

The complexity of each character in the film is also commendable. Anne is not a hero. In fact, by the end, she’s a villain. But we still understand her and we experience her perspective intimately from beginning to end. We may even sympathize with her, which, for an unequivocal villain, is not easy to achieve. Her husband Peter is not some deadbeat, as one might expect of the cheated husband in a film like this; instead, he’s loving and loyal. He, too, is a rounded and complicated human and not just an easy explanation for Anne’s dissatisfaction. Even Gustav has incredible depth: below the “bad boy” surface, he’s lost, lonely, and pining for love and acceptance. Every actor in the film takes on this complexity with finesse. Trine Dyrholm is an absolute powerhouse of a leading lady, and Magnus Krepper and (impressively) the young Gustav Lindh can totally keep up, making Queen of Hearts a masterclass in acting. 

There is real mastery at every step of this film. It is tense, upsetting, and uncomfortable to watch, and at the same time completely enjoyable because of its level of quality. To me, Queen of Hearts is an absolute home run.

Q: Does Queen of Hearts pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test? 

A: Yes. Anne has a few conversations with her daughters as well as conversations with the young women she works with.

© Julia Lasker (11/6/19) FF2 Media

Photos: Credit to Rolf Konow

175 comments

  1. It’s amazing to pay a quick visit this website and
    reading the views of all friends concerning this piece of writing,
    while I am also eager of getting knowledge.

  2. Generally I do not learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very
    compelled me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me.
    Thank you, quite great post.

  3. This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start
    my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to
    say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

  4. Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?

    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup.
    Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

    Take a look at my page; freebetweb.com

  5. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an email.
    I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested
    in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward
    to seeing it expand over time.

  6. I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not sure
    whether this post is written by him as no one else
    know such detailed about my problem. You are incredible!
    Thanks!

  7. May I simply just say what a comfort to find an individual who actually knows what they’re talking about on the web.
    You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
    More and more people need to read this and understand this side of
    the story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular because
    you surely possess the gift.

  8. Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?

  9. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who had been doing a
    little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast due to the fact that I found
    it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the
    meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about
    this issue here on your internet site.

  10. I have been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made
    good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  11. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it
    is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or advice.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.

    I want to read more things about it!

  12. Asking questions are really good thing if you are not understanding something completely, however this post presents good understanding yet.

  13. Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my site so i
    came to go back the desire?.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web
    site!I suppose its adequate to use a few of
    your concepts!!

  14. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.

    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  15. I’m not certain the place you are getting your information, however
    good topic. I must spend some time finding out much more or working out more.
    Thanks for wonderful info I was on the lookout for this info
    for my mission.

  16. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog.
    An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

  17. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your
    articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything.
    Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this blog could
    undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its field.
    Amazing blog!

  18. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail.

    I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

  19. You’re so awesome! I do not believe I’ve truly read a single thing like that before.
    So good to discover someone with genuine thoughts on this issue.
    Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s
    needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

  20. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and
    in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing on your augment or even I achievement you access persistently fast.

  21. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after
    I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not
    writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  22. I am curious to find out what blog system you’re working with?
    I’m having some minor security issues with my
    latest site and I’d like to find something more secure. Do
    you have any suggestions?

  23. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
    I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and
    would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work.

    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send
    me an email.

  24. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post seem to be running
    off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with
    web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The design look great though! Hope you get the issue
    fixed soon. Cheers

  25. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled
    upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get
    in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently
    fast.

  26. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though
    you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting
    videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  27. It’s in point of fact a nice and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared
    this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this.

    Thank you for sharing.

  28. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday.
    It’s always useful to read articles from other writers and practice a little something
    from other sites.

  29. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over
    that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably
    come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  30. Somebody essentially assist to make seriously articles I’d state.
    This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point?
    I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish extraordinary.
    Great activity!

    Check out my web page; sabung ayam online

  31. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it
    but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    Feel free to visit my website … sabung ayam online

  32. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your
    blog? Its very well written; I love what
    youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way
    of content so people could connect with it better.

    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
    one or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

  33. It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.

    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I want to read even more things about it!

  34. I really like what you guys are usually up too.
    This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to my personal blogroll.

  35. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after
    looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!

  36. Hi there, I discovered your blog by way of Google at the same
    time as searching for a similar topic, your web site came
    up, it appears great. I have bookmarked it in my google
    bookmarks.
    Hello there, just turned into aware of your blog thru
    Google, and located that it is truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.
    I’ll appreciate in the event you proceed this in future.
    Numerous folks will probably be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  37. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.

    You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely
    love to write some content for your blog in exchange
    for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
    Cheers!

  38. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re
    just extremely excellent. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what
    you are stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible.
    I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific site.

  39. I seriously love your site.. Pleasant colors &
    theme. Did you develop this amazing site yourself?
    Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own personal site and would love to
    know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named.

    Kudos!

  40. Great items from you, man. I’ve take into account your stuff prior to and you are just extremely fantastic.
    I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way wherein you assert it.
    You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible.
    I can not wait to read much more from you. That is
    actually a terrific web site.

  41. I like the valuable information you supply on your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check once more right here frequently.
    I am reasonably sure I’ll be informed lots of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the following!

  42. Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds
    me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
    I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
    Many thanks for sharing!

  43. I think everything posted made a ton of sense. But, what about this?
    what if you added a little content? I mean, I don’t wish to
    tell you how to run your blog, however what if
    you added something that grabbed people’s attention? I mean QUEEN OF HEARTS (2019): Review by FF2
    Media – FF2 Media is a little boring. You
    could peek at Yahoo’s front page and watch how they write post titles to grab people
    to click. You might try adding a video or a pic or two to grab people
    excited about everything’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it might make your posts a little bit more interesting.

  44. I believe everything published was actually very logical.
    However, consider this, suppose you wrote a catchier title?
    I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your website, but what if you
    added a post title that makes people desire more?
    I mean QUEEN OF HEARTS (2019): Review by FF2 Media – FF2 Media
    is a little vanilla. You should glance at Yahoo’s front page and see how they create article headlines to grab people to click.
    You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to get
    readers interested about everything’ve got to say. In my
    opinion, it could make your posts a little bit more interesting.

  45. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this
    board and I find It really helpful & it helped
    me out a lot. I’m hoping to give something back and help others such as you helped me.

  46. Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea
    shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally
    off topic but I had to tell someone!

  47. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on.
    You have done a outstanding job!

  48. Whats up very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb
    .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
    I’m glad to find numerous useful information here within the
    post, we’d like work out more strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

  49. Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted
    to mention that I have really loved surfing around your blog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I’m hoping you write
    again very soon!

  50. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website
    yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m
    looking to construct my own blog and would like
    to know where u got this from. kudos

  51. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult
    time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs
    and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for
    getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  52. I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit
    of it. I’ve got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…

  53. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills
    as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid
    theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up
    the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog
    like this one nowadays.

  54. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
    Please let me know. Cheers

  55. Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting
    anyplace, when i read this piece of writing
    i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible
    piece of writing.

  56. Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some
    help from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
    I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any points or suggestions? Cheers

  57. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog.

    You have some really good posts and I believe I
    would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some
    articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.

    Please shoot me an email if interested. Thanks!

  58. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long
    comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just
    wanted to say wonderful blog!

  59. What’s up to every one, the contents existing at this site are genuinely awesome for people experience,
    well, keep up the nice work fellows.

  60. I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but good
    topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  61. Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?

    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work
    due to no back up. Do you have any methods to
    prevent hackers?

  62. My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right.
    This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much
    time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  63. Greetings I am so grateful I found your blog page, I really found
    you by accident, while I was browsing on Askjeeve for something else, Regardless I
    am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and
    a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
    have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb job.

  64. Undeniably believe that that you stated. Your favourite reason seemed
    to be on the web the easiest thing to keep in mind of.
    I say to you, I definitely get irked while other folks consider issues
    that they plainly do not understand about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as
    well as outlined out the entire thing without having
    side-effects , other people can take a signal.

    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  65. hi!,I really like your writing so so much!
    proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your
    article on AOL? I require a specialist on this
    space to unravel my problem. May be that’s
    you! Taking a look ahead to see you.

  66. Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better!
    Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this post
    to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
    I appreciate you for sharing!

  67. Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told was a leisure account it.
    Glance complex to far brought agreeable from you!
    However, how can we keep up a correspondence?

  68. Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest
    authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you
    discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

  69. Hello, I think your web site could possibly be having browser compatibility problems.
    When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if
    opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues.

    I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Besides that, fantastic blog!

  70. Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog
    world but I’m trying to get started and set
    up my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your own blog?
    Any help would be really appreciated!

  71. Normally I do not read post on blogs, however I wish to
    say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so!
    Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice article.

  72. Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform
    are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers
    and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  73. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.

    Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to
    you.

  74. Hiya very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful ..
    Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
    I am glad to search out a lot of useful information here in the put up, we want work out more techniques on this regard,
    thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  75. Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a
    superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem
    to get nearly anything done.

  76. I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing?
    I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest website and I’d like to find something more safe.
    Do you have any recommendations?

  77. Hi, I do think this is an excellent blog.
    I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return once again since i have book-marked it.

    Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  78. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but
    I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would
    never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  79. I have read your article carefully and I agree with you very much. This has provided a great help for my thesis writing, and I will seriously improve it. However, I don’t know much about a certain place. Can you help me?

  80. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful
    to you.

  81. A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee wasp sting allergy desensitization and are also taking captopril viagra erection In its 1994 position statement, the JCIH endorsed the goal of universal detection of infants with hearing loss and encouraged continuing research and development to improve methods for identification of and intervention for hearing loss JCIH, 1994a, 1994b

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *