The Kingdom (1994)
A contemporaneous ‘dialogue’ is created comprising different layers of time. A massive modern hospital has been built on a site haunted by an ancient mysticism. With each episode the same struggle is played out; the pretensions of science clash with a persistent spiritual realm. Until…“Tiny signs of fatigue are appearing in the solid, modern edifice.” That which is held back in silence seeks to be avenged.
Under its original title, Riget, which also means “realm,” The Kingdom was created as a four-episode Danish television series that became a cult hit. Lars von Trier and Morten Arnfred directed the production, filmed in nostalgic sepia tones entirely with a hand-held digital camera. The name comes from Rigshospitalet, one of Denmark’s leading hospitals dealing in highly specialized treatment. The hospital served as the location for much of the shooting. Belphégor, a dark French TV series from the 60’s regarding a haunting in the Louvre, was also an influence.
As if to parody Hitchcock’s Masterpiece Theater, von Trier makes an appearance at the end of each episode of Riget to conduct a cheesy recap of events coupled with a provocative teaser for the next episode, before seeming to vanish into thin air.
In total, three seasons of The Kingdom were scripted. The second four-episode season was released in 1997. However, due to the deaths of five of the actors that play re-appearing characters, perhaps most key to production being Ernst-Hugo Järegård (Swedish neurosurgeon Stig Helmer), the final season could not be completed as planned. The scrip for this third season was reportedly presented to Stephen King as inspiration for Kingdom Hospital, his own personal tribute to Trier, released as a TV miniseries in the US in 2004.
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Grading
- Story A-
- Acting A
- Visuals A-
- Originality/Innovation A-
- Enjoyability A-
- Overall A-
- DVD Extras A-
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