This year’s Carlsberg Scandinavian Film Festival made a majestic opening with the Australian Premiere of MARGRETE – QUEEN OF THE NORTH (Margrete den første), a lavish historical drama set in 1402 from acclaimed director Charlotte Sieling.

Now this sprawling historical pageant is receiving a truly deserved wider general public release.

MARGRETE: QUEEN OF THE NORTH explores the legacy and dilemmas faced by Denmark’s Queen Margrete (the brilliant Trine Dyrholm) a visionary ruler who brokered the historic Kalmar Union uniting Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

However, the union is beset by enemies, clannish territorialism, and the overarching presence of meddling priests, so Margrete  plans a marriage between her adopted son, Erik, and an English princess. An alliance with England should secure the union’s status as an emerging European power, however a breathtaking conspiracy concerning the true fate of her long departed son and heir is hatched, a plot that could destroy  Margrete’s reign and legacy. 

Directed and co-written by Charlotte Sieling and inspired by actual events surrounding the reign of Queen Margrete I, MARGRETE – QUEEN OF THE NORTH is a lavish historical drama that blends grand visuals, thanks to ace cinematographer, Rasmus Videbaek, with psychological unease.

The production design by Soren Schwartzberg  combined with the rich costumery of Manon Rasmussen conjures a sumptuous visual texture that transports us back in time. 

A searing historical tale that has extraordinarily strong resonance to the contemporary world of female leaders battling patriarchal power and factional in-fighting, not to mention church interference, MARGRETE – QUEEN OF THE NORTH is essential viewing, not the least for the towering performance of Trine Dyrholm in the title role. The supporting cast is superlative, especially Paul Blackthorne as the English envoy, William Bourcier, a four and twenty tasty dish to set before the Queen.