Manslaughter, directed by Danish film-maker Per Fly, tells the story of high school teacher, Carsten (Jesper Christensen). In his 50s, married with grown children, he is having an affair with former student, Pil (Beate Bille). Pil is a left wing activist who joins two others on a politically motivated raid, during which a policeman is killed. The investigation leads to Carsten, exposing his affair and forcing him to choose between his wife and Pil, who is now in serious trouble. Carsten decides to stand by Pil.

His devotion to Pil is understandable, he has felt ‘dead’ for quite some time and she is extremely beautiful, intelligent, fiery and intense. She causes him to question his comfortable, middle-class life where politics is only part of dinner party talk and never backed by action. However, as the investigation into the policeman’s death drags on Carsten’s life gets more and more complicated. Not only with his own family, but the dead policeman had a wife and child, a wife who is now devastated by her loss and wants answers.

The acting in Manslaughter is superb, particularly Jesper Christensen as Carsten who’s mid-life crisis affair seems to be inherently destructive. The original music by Halfdan E is very effective as is the general soundscape.

Though the film focuses on Carsten, both men and women can relate. I’m loath to say it will appeal to people of ‘a certain age’ because we can question our existence at any time of life. But as someone who shows signs of slipping into contented middle-age, I must say it struck a cord. Although in the end, if there is a message, it’s a very mixed one’do you fight the good fight or chase your dreams at the expense of family?ÔøΩÔøΩ An excellent, provocative drama.

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