Handling the Undead

The mastery of Thea Hvistendahl's debut film lies in its wordless depiction of what humans fear most: death—not only our own mortality but, even more so, the loss of those we hold dearest. Handling the Undead clearly illustrates how words fail us and become insufficient when the unthinkable happens. A fascinatingly uncompromising minimalism shapes the film’s dialogue. Not only are the (un)dead unable to speak, but the living are also sparing with their words.

Impressive physical performances from the entire ensemble bring out a subtle sensitivity in all that remains unsaid. This creates a vast space for audience reflection, allowing each viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations into the story. The film can thus appear vastly different from one viewer to another. This room for contemplation gives the film a lasting impact, staying with the audience long after it ends. As a society, we talk too little about grief and loss, making it all the more important to have films that can facilitate these conversations.

The presentation is based on Astrid Aure's analysis in Montages.