Gold Coast

Set in Danish Guinea (part of modern-day Ghana) in the 1830s, 'Gold Coast' follows idealistic Wulff Frederik Wulff (who according to the film's website is an amalgamation of three real-life individuals). Having devised a method for growing coffee in Africa, Wulff is despatched from Denmark to put his plan into action. Upon arrival, he finds a colony that apparently consists of precisely five people: two missionaries (or "lunatic missionaries", as Wulff puts it), the drink-sodden governor, the governor's slimy deputy and a boorish merchant. Although he finds joy in the region's natural splendour, Wulff's enthusiasm and naïvety is gradually worn down by the antics of the colonists, by his own doubts that the native peoples understand his agricultural methods, by attacks on his plantations by the local Ashanti tribe, and by a slave trade he thought his country had outlawed.

This is not a flawless film. What I assume is a small budget shows: surely there were more than just a few people in Danish Guinea? A bigger budget might have paid for a few more extras! Also, apart from Wulff himself, the other characters - some of whom, such as the governor and his deputy, were real people - are portrayed in one-dimensional terms which suggest lazy scripting.

However, those flaws aside, this is a good film. Seeing the grubby colonial buildings and slightly tatty costumes the viewer really gets an impression of a colony on its uppers (barely a decade after the events in this film, Denmark sold its Gold Coast settlements to the UK). As Wulff, lead actor Jakob Oftebro - hitherto mainly a pretty face in supporting casts - proves his acting chops, not only with an alarming weight loss but also with his portrayal of Wulff's realisation that everything in the garden isn't rosy and his subsequent descent into madness. Other actors are hampered by the limited character development in their roles, but don't let that put you off seeing this film.

Oftebro is a great actor. The setting (the Danish slave colonies) is interesting. They are willing to experiment with music. But sadly, the movie is quite bad.

With heavy handed symbolism (flags, horned skulls, etc), good-or-evil characters, a messy storyline and ill fitting soundtrack, Guldkysten will sadly become another failed Scandinavian epic movie. A movie about a slaving colony with a protagonist ahead of his time (sharing the viewer's opinions on slavery) standing up against evil old fashioned slavers - we ought to be past these kind of stories by now. While I did enjoy the more experimental music, I had a hard time relating it to whatever was going on in the story. The movie is at its best when its characters borders on the insane, and the last quarter of the movie is by far the best one.

Oh well. Onwards and upwards, Scandinavian movie makers!

'Guldkysten' exposes the viewer to life at a Danish fort on West Africa's Gold Coast (now Ghana) in 1836, focusing on a young Danish officer who goes out to start a coffee plantation as an alternative to taking slaves. The slave trade had officially stopped but was covertly continuing, which he discovers during his stay. The film then focuses on his reaction to that, and how those around him respond in turn.

The plot is vaguely based on the life of a real person, but was poorly received by some critics for mixing a historical character with a lot of fiction. This was apparently because the main female character became ill during filming, and so the plot had to be radically altered.

I personally think the result is a sensual masterpiece in creating the powerful and conflicting emotions you would have had if you had been on the Gold Coast in 1836 – the elegance of the early 19th Century costumes contrasting with the utter depravity of many of those living on the fort; the beauty of West Africa's landscape and nature against the spectre of disease that killed so many who dared to visit; and of course the conflict between the ideals of Christianity and the Enlightenment against the base exploitation of slavery.

One of the most visually spectacular and haunting films I have ever seen. I have only given 9 stars because I thought Wulff's descent into madness was over-exaggerated. He could have become very withdrawn instead, which I think would have been more realistic.

All in all, a much needed film to bring home to today's audience an experience of one of the darker sides of Denmark's past.

I saw this film yesterday with my family. It was s-l-o-w, boring for about 90% of the time, largely pointless and way too long. On top of this, my entire family agreed with me that there is more than one plot hole which really topped it all off. Disappointing to say the least! Oh yeah, and the music is the most inappropriate I have ever experienced. It is so totally out of touch with the film and the age of slavery - some strange pounding techno. At times it goes into much more soothing and pleasant style, which I really likes, but I totally stopped concentrating on the film at least 5 times, because I was wondering what the hell that style of music was doing in that scene?!

The only good thing I can say about it is that it's really really beautiful and it makes an effort to show the geography and nature of Africa. Jakob Oftebro is a terrific actor but he can't save this film.

I was actually surprised I only fell asleep once, and after the film I was relieved to find out that mom, dad and brother felt the exact same way. This film is slow, boring and totally without a flow. Several of the characters are really poorly worked through and very unimpressive. On top of all this, there was plenty of that pointless thing I really hate: hand held camera! 98% of the footage is shaky because it is not filmed on a tripod or steady-cam, and I just absolutely abhor it!! I see no excuse for all that shaky footage when it doesn't seem to serve any purpose - here it is being used through even the most peaceful and tranquil scenes, so it is obviously just there to make the director appear more intellectual. Failing miserably, I must add.

I highly recommend giving this one a miss. It's the poorest film I have seen in years.

No one enters the tropics unpunished. Joseph Wulff, a young and talented entrepreneur, naturalist and all around progressive type, is eager to put this tired old saying to bed. Armed with a coffee plantation patent from the King of Denmark, Wulff is determined to beat the odds in an 1836 Danish colonial outpost in West Africa. However, his companions have other ideas in mind. Wulff soon learns that even while Denmark was the first European country to ban the slave trade, evil and human cruelty still flourish as strong as ever.

The film is stylish, sensory and resplendent. I was immersed in the ocean swells, tropical light, exotic dances and forest flowers. The story is loosely based on an actual character and Wulff is admirable. He empowers others, sustains the natural world, promotes the good of the community and romances his new bride, Flitsbue, from afar. "Plants are a part of you," maintains Wulff "fruits belong to all." Despite a great theme and an intriguing main character, the film is hampered by unrealistic acting. It is hard to imagine the actors straying far from a tin of Danish butter cookies much less entering the African frontier. Outside of the beautiful imagery and storyline, the film lacks depth and substance. Seen at the 2016 Miami International Film Festival.