Terribly Happy

Robert Hansen (Jakob Cedergren), a young police officer from Copenhagen, is transferred against his will to the small town of Skarrild in Southern Jutland as a substitute marshall. The transfer is Robert’s chance to start over. Whether he is allowed to return to his job in Copenhagen, all depends on how well he performs in this frontier town. But Robert has a hard time understanding the locals and their uncivilized approach to law and order. In a town where everyone knows everyone, people like to take care of things themselves. Robert is approached by the irresistible and mysterious Ingelise (Lene Maria Christensen) who convinces him to help her get away from her abusive husband, Jørgen (Kim Bodnia). Robert’s involvement results in a direct confrontation with Jørgen who also happens to be a prominent and intimidating town figurehead. In order to get things done, Robert succumbs to the unwritten rules of this frontier marshland making use of the uncivilized norms and practices he previously found so difficult to understand. Meanwhile, all hope of returning to Copenhagen seems to sink deeper and deeper into the marshes of Southern Jutland and a state “terrible happiness” emerges. TERRIBLY HAPPY is a dramatic and grotesque fable about abandoning one’s morals in order to achieve security and belonging.