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‘The Guest’ Debuts Controversial Baby-Plunge at Karlovy Vary

7/6/2026

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Summary

Vibeke Plunges

Vibeke plunges baby Elliot into the sea during the secular-humanist christening.
The Guest, directed by Mads Mengel, entered the Crystal Globe Competition at the Karlovy Vary Festival.
The film uses handheld camera and extreme close-ups reminiscent of Thomas Vinterberg’s Dogme 95 classic Festen.
Critics say Trine Dyrholm’s performance anchors the ensemble, which includes Josephine Park as Rikke and Peter Gantzler as Emilie’s father.

Summary

LevelK Distributes

LevelK is handling worldwide sales for “The Guest,” produced by Monolit Film.
Director Mads Mengel calls the drama his most personal project yet, insisting it is not autobiographical.
Trine Dyrholm, celebrated for the Oscar-winning ‘In a Better World,’ teamed with Mengel and used her earlier research of mental illness, including her role in Sarah Kane’s ‘4.48 Psychosis,’ to inform Vibeke.

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Vibeke Plunges

Vibeke plunges baby Elliot into the sea during the secular-humanist christening.
The Guest, directed by Mads Mengel, entered the Crystal Globe Competition at the Karlovy Vary Festival.
The film uses handheld camera and extreme close-ups reminiscent of Thomas Vinterberg’s Dogme 95 classic Festen.
Critics say Trine Dyrholm’s performance anchors the ensemble, which includes Josephine Park as Rikke and Peter Gantzler as Emilie’s father.

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