The on-demand cinema initiative kick starts tomorrow with the screenings of A Modern Man by Eva Mulvad and Hobbyhorse Revolution by Selma Vilhunen.

The two documentary films backed by Nordisk Film & TV Fond, will be available via DOXBIO’s network of 50 cinemas across Denmark, and through DOXBIO on Demand, which allows film buffs to book their own film screenings at designated cinemas.

The initiative devised by the Danish documentary distributor DOXBIO and inspired by similar concepts in the US and in the UK, is backed by the Danish Film Institute, Biografklub Danmark and Danske Filminstruktører (Danish Film Directors’ Association).

All films acquired by DOXBIO will be available for individual booking at 20 partner cinemas, including CinemaxX Odense, Grand Teatret in Copenhagen, and Øst for Paradis in Aarhus. A pre-defined number of tickets must be bought for a screening to happen.

Katrina Schelin, DOXBIO Head of Distribution said in a statement: “You know what "video on demand" is, now you also get a cinema on demand! We have developed a system whereby you can now choose the film you want to see and when you want to see it - in the cinema. The system allows you to create your own film screenings and easily invite friends and people with whom you share an interest. To enhance the community experience around the cinema viewing, we have also made it possible for people to select and create a film event. It will often be possible for instance to get a visit from the director or a crew member, or to get refreshments. And if you’re inventive you can also create your own film event around the film’s topic,” she said.

Øst for Paradis’s Ditte Daugbjerg Christensen said: “We’ve been really looking forward for DOXBIO on Demand to become reality. With this new initiative, we can invite the audience to actually use our venue as their own living room. It opens up new possibilities for cinemas in today’s reality where you have lots of streaming services and cultural activities to choose from.”

At tomorrow’s Danish premiere of A Modern Man at Copenhagen’s Grand Cinema, director Eva Mulvad and sociologist Emilia von Hauen will be on stage to discuss the meaning of life and the tyranny of success. The film produced by Danish Documentary tells the story violinist Charlie Siem and his strive for perfection. (see Eva Mulvad’s interview below).

Meanwhile at the premiere of the Finnish film Hobbyhorse Revolution at Copenhagen’s Empire Bio, hobbyhorse creations from top Danish designers Nicholas Nybro and Helen Clara Hemsley will be on display while other cinemas will invite people to hobbyhorse riding (Aarhus) or workshops (Kolding).


Five questions to director Eva Mulvad
How did you come up with the idea for A Modern Man? Was it within the framework of your studies of wealthy people?
Eva Mulvad: In Denmark we’re a very middle class society unlike the UK for example where the class system is clear. I grew up in a basic middle class left wing family so portraying the somewhat inaccessible upper-class people was like examining something exotic. I’ve been looking at this segment of society for a while to understand the pros and cons of their privileged lifestyle.

How did you select violinist Charlie Siem?
EM:
I saw him play at a concert. I’m not an expert in classical music, but I’ve always been fascinated by that universe. Then I read the book ’Ind i Musikken’ by Danish philosopher Peter Bastian about music and consciousness. That was my starting point.

As a fashion model as well, Charlie Siem must have been used to the camera. How easy though was it to enter his life?
EM:
Yes he is very aware of his image and how to tell his story. I said we will work for six months, I will show you what kind of film I want to make and if you’re comfortable, we will go on with the shooting, which we did. What was clear for me was not to create a fan’s portrayal, but an existential portrayal, showing values of our time with Charlie Siem as a symbol. He has everything anyone can dream of, but he is still dissatisfied, which intrigued me.

Did you have other films in mind?
EM: I thought a lot about Sofia Coppola’s film Somewhere. Not much actually happens in the film, but the mood is very strong and the description of spoilt people is spot-on. The sense of alienation in Lost in Translation was also in my mind. I wanted A Modern Man to reflect the same ideas and to be contemplative.

What’s next?
EM:
I have 2-3 projects, including A Family on the Run, about an Iranian couple who fled from Iran not for political reasons but because of love.