In the Valley of Elah

Angry protest gains momentum and mournfulfamilies greet the caskets of their loved onesinstead of triumphant soldiers returning homefrom a honourable war. Four years after theAmerican invasion of Iraq, the official numberof dead Iraqi civilians varies between 60 000 and100 000, and roughly 3800 American soldiersare dead.“In the Valley of Elah” exemplifies theshockwaves of the Iraqi war in America. Formermilitary man Hank Deerfield, played by grimveteran Tommy Lee Jones, smells somethingfishy when his son Mike is reported AWOL afterreturning from military service in Iraq. Alongsidepolice detective Emily Sanders, played byCharlize Theron, and his wife, played by SusanSarandon, Hank sets out to recover his son, butgets more than he bargained for. He discovers the truth about his son’s disappearance and thedeep corruption of the system he has servedand believed in for so many years. Inspired by atrue story first reported in “Playboy Magazine”,acclaimed writer and director Paul Haggis paintsa protest against the war and its devastatingconsequences. His conclusion is emphasizedby the film’s symbolic title – “Elah” happens tobe the valley where David met Goliath.

Red Carpet
Tuesday 20 November
SKANDIA 19.00

Premiere Status
Nordic Premiere: Cast
Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon, Charlize Theron: Producer
Paul Haggis, Laurence Becsey, Darlene Caamano, Steve Samuels, Patrick Wachsberger: Script
Paul Haggis: Cinematography
Roger Deakins: Music
Mark Isham: Spoken language
English