The Promised Land has the markings of a Western film. The only thing is that it's set in 1755 in Denmark. With its story, we can't help but wonder whether Captain Ludvig Kahlen was a real person in the film. Here's what we know about this.
What is The Promised Land Story About?
The Promised Land is a screenplay adapted from a novel called The Captain and Ann Barbara, which was written by Ida Jessen. The movie's Danish title, Bastarden, is based on Captain Ludvig Kahlen's roots as an illegitimate son.
Kahlen was able to convince the Danish king to allow him to farm on Jutland's remote heathlands. He fights against an arrogant and brutal land baron who is determined to keep the land for himself.
In addition to the baron, Kahlen has to deal with the crop-resistant soil and harsh climate of the heathlands.
Was Captain Ludvig Kahlen a Real Person?
Yes, Captain Ludvig Kahlen was a real person credited as "the first person to ever go out on the heath and succeed in planting something."
Kahlen was said to be a proud yet poor military captain who was the illegitimate son of a rich landowner and a house helper.
After serving in the German army, Kahlen returned to Denmark in 1755 with a meager pension. He petitions the king to allow him to cultivate a piece of barren land. If he were to succeed, he would be given a title.
In an interview with The Orange County Register, Nikolaj Arcel was asked whether Kahlen was a well-known figure in Denmark. The director said that he was "completely unknown, actually."
Before the movie came out, only locals in the area knew of Captain Ludvig Kahlen; except for a plaque on the heath.
He also credits the author, Ida Jessen, who "kind of found him from the annals of history" and wrote the book about him. Arcel also praised the author as a "genius" for finding somebody.
Aside from the film and the novel, very little information on Kahlen is available. The director also shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he did his best to stay "loyal to the book first and to Ida Jessen's vision."
Although some of the characters in the book were made up, Kahlen was not one of them.
Who Plays Captain Ludvig Kahlen in The Promised Land?
The role of Captain Ludvig Kahlen in The Promised Land is portrayed by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.
The director shared that Mikkelsen was the only fit for the transformational role since he has the ability to become a "completely different man" from the start and end of the film.
Arcel previously worked with Mikkelsen in the 2012 Oscar-nominated film, A Royal Affair.
In an interview with the Boston Herald, Arcel shared:
“If Mads hadn’t played this character I would have been too afraid to do it. Because it’s the nuances that make it work. That’s what makes us feel he’s a changed man — without any big scenes that tell us.”
This was further complimented by Mikkelsen who said this about the director:
“To do that, you have to have a director who lets the camera linger. So you can see what’s inside. Because something is going on with the character — it’s bubbling. But it’s not coming out yet.”
Prior to The Promised Land, Mikkelsen earned recognition for his roles in the Pusher trilogy films, Open Hearts, The Green Butchers, Adam's Apples, and Hannibal (the TV series).
He was also a stood-out character as the antagonist in a James Bond movie, Casino Royale. Other films you might remember him from include Rogue One, Doctor Strange, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
Surprisingly, Mikkelsen was a gymnast and dancer before he became an actor.
Catch Mikkelsen in his portrayal of a historic character in The Promised Land.
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