Departamento Q: Uma Conspiração de Fé

I had high expectations for this third film - would it be as good as the two previous films?

I am delighted that it is. But different than the other two films. This film has more dialog between the two main characters, about they're personal life and faith. It brings more depths to the characters, and it does not come in the way of the story-line.

As the previous films, this haunting crime-film is all about the darkest and most twisted evil people, and they're terrible actions towards innocent people. In this film it also deals with children, so it's very gripping. As a Norwegian Im delighted to see Norwegians actors in this film, they really brings life to the film, acting in a convincing way. It even has a Norwegian director. But this it danish crime at it's very very best.

Well, if you like dark tales, this one is for you. Hope they follow this up with more films.

As I had seen Kvinden i buret and Fasandræberne and liked them both, it is logical that I set to Flaskepost fra P as well. And I am contented again, even a bit more than with the other two. Following the main leitmotif, there are witty dialogues between the two policemen about faith and religion, and more suspense scenes where the outcome is unpredictable. Perhaps the wrongdoer's identity was revealed too soon, but his motives not revealed until the end and great performances of all stars of the film generated yet a pleasant and intense film experience, based on a renown book by Jussi Adler-Olsen (well, I have not read them, but I am not a person vigorously comparing related books and films, with a trivial conclusion that "the book was much better" :))

So, another good creation within Scandinavian Noir, and another reason and opportunity to acquaint yourself with Nikolaj Lie Kaas' talent.

After watching the first 2 films of the series, I was left amazed at the intrigue of this show. They were dark and complex and left you on the edge of your seat. However, this film was below par in my opinion. I still loved it. However, it did not reach my expectations. The plot of this film is probably the darkest of the lot but I felt there wasn't as good a flow to it as the others. Nevertheless, it was a great film to watch which kept me guessing throughout, with a satisfying ending

I saw Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland's recent film In Order of Disappearance (2014) a couple of years ago. I was very impressed with that Nordic noir which was both very humorous and inventive. A Conspiracy of Faith is another thriller but one with quite a differing approach. It dispenses with the comedy of the earlier film and instead goes for a pretty downbeat approach. Hardly surprising really when you consider that the story is about two cops investigating the case of two abducted children. This kind of material is always one that is going to be somewhat dark, another recent north European film The Treatment (2014) dealt with this subject in a very head on manner and consequently was very disturbing indeed in places. A Conspiracy of Faith only goes so far with its dark material and by the end of the film slightly dissipates its impact further by having its narrative go into more standard thriller territory. But despite that, this is still another compelling bit of Nordic noir.

There are strong acting performances throughout, with a return performance from Pål Sverre Hagen - so memorable as the hilarious vegan crime boss from In Order of Disappearance - as the cold hearted psychopath. The story has added interest in that it mixes in themes of religion, with the killer himself solely targeting children from deeply religious families, exploiting the fact that these people have more faith in God than in the police. So there are a few distinctive elements interwoven into what otherwise may have been a standard serial killer thriller. I would probably rate this as less interesting as the more ambitious In Order of Disappearance but it still remains yet another pretty impressive Scandinavian noir.

This is the third, and so far the best, film from Jussi Adler-Olsen's crime novels about the Department Q. The first "Kvinden i buret"/"The Keeper of Lost Causes" (2013) I rated 7/10, and was quite disappointed about the much more convoluted "Fasandreberne"/"The absent one" (2014), which I voted 5/10. Then I'm happy to say that this is a big step back from the last film directed by Mikkel Nørgaard.

Acclaimed Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland has taken over, and made a much more serious and darker Nordic noir.

The film is about a serial killer, acting as a cult leader. He kidnaps two children and demands ransom. But before this the Departemnt Q gets a case with a eight year old strange message found in a bottle. This is the start of an intense hunt.

The acting is superb, and mix with religion makes it very interesting. The film is slightly let down by being a lower budget production, though just from being a classic. it's still a very dark crime thriller.

Carl Morck (played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is very depressed and heavy minded. He makes his best role so far here. There is also a very strong acting performance by Pål Sverre Hagen, which does another psychopath here, just as in Moland's incredible "In order of disappearance"/"Kraftidioten". Once again a memorable role.

A well recommended Nordic noir.