"Riget II" (1997) TV mini-series

Directors:

Morten Arnfred
Lars von Trier

Writers:

Niels Vørsel (writer)
Lars von Trier (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

1 November 1997 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

Plot:

It starts with the birth of "Little Brother", the son of diabolical murderer Aage Kroeger and the nurse Judith...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Dishwasher | Poison | Doctor | Evil

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Ernst-Hugo Järegård	...	Stig Helmer (4 episodes, 1997)
Peter Mygind	...	Mogge (4 episodes, 1997)
Kirsten Rolffes	...	Sigrid Drusse (4 episodes, 1997)
Holger Juul Hansen	...	Dr. Moesgaard (4 episodes, 1997)
Søren Pilmark	...	Krogshøj (4 episodes, 1997)
Ghita Nørby	...	Rigmor Mortensen (4 episodes, 1997)
Jens Okking	...	Bulder (4 episodes, 1997)
Ole Boisen	...	Christian (4 episodes, 1997)
Erik Wedersøe	...	Ole (4 episodes, 1997)
Baard Owe	...	Prof. Palle Bondo (4 episodes, 1997)
Birgitte Raaberg	...	Judith Bang Petersen (4 episodes, 1997)
Henning Jensen	...	Bob (4 episodes, 1997)
Laura Christensen	...	Mona (4 episodes, 1997)
Ulrik Cold	...	Narrator (4 episodes, 1997)
Peter Gilsfort	...	Dishwasher 2 (4 episodes, 1997)
John Hahn-Petersen	...	Nivesen (4 episodes, 1997)
Paul Hüttel	...	Dr. Steenbaek (4 episodes, 1997)
Vita Jensen	...	Dish washer 1 (4 episodes, 1997)
Ruth Junker	...	Dishwasher 1 (4 episodes, 1997)
Udo Kier	...	Aage Krüger / ... (4 episodes, 1997)
Morten Rotne Leffers	...	Dish Washer 2 (4 episodes, 1997)
Birthe Neumann	...	Mrs. Svendsen (3 episodes, 1997)
Otto Brandenburg	...	Hansen (3 episodes, 1997)
Louise Fribo	...	Susanne Jeppesen -- Sanne (3 episodes, 1997)
Claus Nissen	...	Madsen (3 episodes, 1997)
Holger Perfort	...	Professor Ulrich (3 episodes, 1997)
Lise Schrøder	...	Nurse 2 (3 episodes, 1997)
Tomas Stender	...	Student (3 episodes, 1997)
Lars von Trier	...	Himself (3 episodes, 1997)
Julie Wieth	...	Pediatric Nurse (3 episodes, 1997)
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Falken (2 episodes, 1997)
Michelle Bjørn-Andersen	...	Pediatrician (2 episodes, 1997)
Claus Flygare	...	Detective Nielsen (2 episodes, 1997)
Solbjørg Højfeldt	...	Camilla (2 episodes, 1997)
Kim Jansson	...	Detective Jensen (2 episodes, 1997)
Søren Elung Jensen	...	Man in Top Hat (2 episodes, 1997)
Annette Ketscher	...	Nurse -- Casualty (2 episodes, 1997)
Tine Miehe-Renard	...	Night Nurse (2 episodes, 1997)
Dorit Stender Petersen	...	Assisting nurse (2 episodes, 1997)
Mette Munk Plum	...	Mona's Mother (2 episodes, 1997)
Steen Svare	...	Man in Overalls (2 episodes, 1997)
Klaus Wegener	...	Doctor -- Casualty (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Directed by
Morten Arnfred		(unknown episodes)
Lars von Trier		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Lars von Trier		(unknown episodes)
Niels Vørsel		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Marianne Slot	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Joachim Holbek		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Eric Kress		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Pernille Bech Christensen		(unknown episodes)
Molly Marlene Stensgaard		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Jette Lehmann		(unknown episodes)
Hans Christian Lindholm		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Annelise Bailey		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Jeanet Keil	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Birthe Lyngsøe	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Kim Olsson	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)
Lis Olsson	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Peter Christian Hansen	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Hans Møller	....	sound (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Lars Andersen	....	special effects (unknown episodes)
Annette Rolfshøj	....	special effects (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Hans Peter Ludvigsen	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Pelle Folmer	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Peter Kornbek	....	on-line editor (unknown episodes)
Tine Grew Pfeiffer	....	post-production assistant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Danmarks Radio (DR)
• Det Danske Filminstitut
• La Sept-Arte
• Liberator Productions
• Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK)
• Radiotelevisione Italiana
• Sveriges Television (SVT)
• Zentropa Entertainments

Distributors

• Danmarks Radio (DR) (1997) (Denmark) (TV)
• Camera Film (1997) (Denmark) (theatrical) (theatrical version)
• October Films (1998) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Arthaus Filmverleih
• Electric Parc (2004) (Denmark) (DVD)
• Fejui Media Corporation (Taiwan) (DVD)
• Koch Lorber Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Koch Media (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Madman Entertainment (2007) (Australia) (all media)
• Madman Entertainment (2007) (New Zealand) (all media)
• Nachshon Films (1997) (Israel) (all media)
• SPO (2001) (Japan) (VHS)
• SPO (2004) (Japan) (DVD)
• Trust Film Sales (2003) (Denmark) (DVD)

Also Known As:

The Kingdom II (France) (theatrical title) (USA)
Geister II (Germany)
Hospital der Geister - Teil 2 (Germany) (video title)
L'hôpital et ses fantômes (France)
Lars von Triers Riget II (Denmark) (DVD box title)
Riket 2 (Norway)
The Kingdom, meros V' (Greece) (DVD title) [el]
Valtakunta (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

286 min

Country:

Sweden | Italy | France | Norway | Germany | Denmark

Language:

Danish | Swedish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:16 | Iceland:14 | Australia:R (DVD rating) | Hong Kong:IIB | Norway:15 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

Danmarks Radio (DR)

Trivia:

Reportedly, a third installment of the series was prepared but scrapped as several of the leading actors either passed away or retired within a relatively short period of time.

Quotes:

Stig Helmer: No more Mr. Nice Guy!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in I Lars von Triers rige (1999) (TV)

A Mind Blowing Experience

If a movie is good you can usually say it was entertaining, moving, exciting, or even thought provoking. Yet it is a rarity to say that it was actually a experience. Watching THE KINGDOM series is a genuine experience. There is simply nothing else like it and it defies any category. It's part comedy, sci-fi, thriller, mystery,drama, cult, soap opera, and even character study. The result is absolutely amazing. After watching nearly six straight hours the only thing you want afterwards is to see more. It just never gets boring and it's almost hypnotic in nature.

The basic premise has the largest hospital in Copenhagen built over a ghost cemetery. So you have paranormal activity constantly going on, yet only a old lady patient and some mentally handicapped dishwashers are aware of it. The rest of the cast consists basically of doctors and administrators who are so self involved and filled with so many idiosyncraces that they are oblivious to everything else. The stories than revolve around the shenanigans of the hospital and the paranormal activity. You then have about four or five storylines running together at any one time. They are all interwoven and sharply paced. They extend the entire creative spectrum. You are constantly being intrigued as to where they are going and how they will end up. They are impossible to predict and many times genuinly surprising. This is a evolving creative project, which is why it is so good. There are simply no boundaries here and the resulting possibilities are endless.

Eventually by the end of Part 2 one does get the idea that this thing is evolving for the sake of evolving and there really is no conclusion. The bitingly absurd humor becomes just plain absurd also. Yet it is still captivating enough and the storylines strong enough to make you want to continue with Part 3 if and when that ever comes out.

The characters are all lovably goofy. They all have their many flaws and discrepancies yet they are never boring or obnoxious. The standout is probably Swedish Dr Heimler whose pompous ways and contempt for Denmark are consistently amusing.

The strange bleached out color and constantly moving camera maybe off putting to some at first, but eventually it fits with the films personality and is no longer a distraction.

The film also contains some of the most unusual and lasting images you will ever see. Dr Heimler's electronic car he uses while his Volvo is in the shop for repairs is one. Professor Moosegard's erotic collection is another. Yet the strangest, most bizarre one has to be the monster baby born to one of the nurses. It is without a doubt one of the most grotesque, damndest sights ever to be put onto film.