A Fortunate Man is a Danish drama film directed by Bille August and based on the bestselling novel “Lykke-Per” by Henrik Pontoppidan. The film takes place in the late 19th century in Denmark, where Per Sidenius (played by Esben Smed) grows up in a strict religious environment and dreams of leaving behind his narrow-minded upbringing to become an engineer.
After completing his education in Jutland, Per moves to Copenhagen, where he meets Jakobe (played by Katrine Greis-Rosenthal), a wealthy Jewish woman who becomes the love of his life. Despite their cultural differences and the disapproval of Jakobe’s family, Per and Jakobe get married and start a family together.
Meanwhile, Per works on his visionary energy project, which takes up most of his time and energy. Despite facing numerous setbacks and criticisms, he remains dedicated to his project and eventually succeeds in creating a groundbreaking wind and wave energy system.
However, Per’s success and happiness are not without struggles. He continues to be haunted by his strict religious background and the patriarchal behavior of his father, who disapproves of his new lifestyle. Per’s relationship with his family becomes strained, and he struggles to balance his old and new identities.
Overall, A Fortunate Man is a complex and layered exploration of identity, family, and the pursuit of happiness. The film is beautifully shot and features powerful performances from its lead actors, making it a must-watch for fans of Danish cinema.
