Best Danish Film 2021 Winner

In the Soil

Karoline wakes up to find her father, Kjeld, sitting in their backyard. He is acting strangely. Kjeld has become obsessed by something and feels compelled to dig a deep pit in their backyard. Karoline feels frightened by her father’s behavior and doesn’t know what to do. Confused and paralyzed she becomes a spectator to her father’s new project. Kjeld manically starts by measuring how large the pit must be. He then goes to his garage to collect his tools and to prepare himself. Karoline tries her best to stay away but is suddenly drawn into her father’s obsession when he asks her to help him dig. Unwilling she agrees to help him. As the pit gets deeper Kjeld becomes more and more manic. At night Karoline begins to dream about the pit and her worry turns to fear when she realizes that the pit is a grave. Scared for what her father might do she tries the cover the grave but Kjeld stops her attempt. Karoline realizes that she can no longer help her father and decides to leave the next morning. As she is walking away Kjeld prepares the grave with sharp sticks. He climbs up a ladder and throws himself into the grave