Hans Christian Andersen and the long shadow

Hastrup has Andersen and his shadow go through the great storyteller’s life from beginning to end. It is all there: the hardships, including his learning to cope with fear; the guiding light of a loving mother; the thwarted early ambition of becoming a ballet dancer; the inevitable unrequited love, the sexual dreaming; and the rewards and temptations of fame and travel. In short, the stuff and substance of Andersen’s entire life and literary oeuvre. The relentless presence of The Shadow finds its happy counterpoints in the merging into the action of beloved Andersen creations as, in particular, the Ugly Duckling, destined for proudest swanhood.

Film facts

Original title: H.C. ANDERSEN OG DEN SKÆVE SKYGGE
Format: FEATURE
Audience: ADULTS
Running time: 73 MIN
Year: 1998

Main Credits

Director: JANNIK HASTRUP
Writers: BENT HALLER
Producer: MARIE BRO
Executive producer: PETER AALBÆK JENSEN, JANNIK HASTRUP

Production

DANSK TEGNEFILM (DK)
ZENTROPA PRODUCTIONS (DK)
TRUST FILM SVENSKA (SE)
NORTERN LIGHTS (NO)

Distribution

DK distribution: NORDISK FILM
World sales: TRUST NORDIC

AWARDS

Avanca Cine Clube de Avanca / SPECIAL MENTION / 2000
Stuttgart International Trickfilm Festival / CDT TELECOM PRIZE / 2000