Gorm Oppermann

Zentropa

Zentropa was founded in 1992 by director Lars von Trier and producer Peter Aalbæk Jensen following their collaboration on Europa, which won three awards at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. Within its short lifetime Zentropa has grown to become recognized as one of the most original and successful production companies in Europe winning the most prestigious awards on the international film scene. Zentropa's road to success was built on a progressive approach to film production that included room for artistic experimentation and financial risks. This culture has helped Zentropa build a unique brand and attract some of the finest talent of the Scandinavian film industries. An essential part of the rise to fame was the initial success and popularity of the works of Lars von Trier including the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix-winning Breaking the Waves (1996) and the Palm D'or-winning Dancer in the Dark (2000). However, the Dogma 95-manifesto published by von Trier and three colleagues in 1995 arguably stands as the most iconic product of Zentropa's innovative culture. Over the years Zentropa has expanded the activities beyond the Danish borders with projects, collaborations on co-productions and the establishment of local production units in several European countries. To date Zentropa has produced more than 200 films including a long list of genre-defining and award winning titles by renowned directors such as Lars von Trier, Susanne Bier, Thomas Vinterberg, Per Fly, Lone Scherfig, Nicolas Winding-Refn, Kristian Levring, Nikolaj Arcel, Mikkel Nørgaard, Annette K. Olesen, Christian E. Christiansen and many others. Through the continued desire to break new ground and remain a progressive force in European film, Zentropa has remained an attractive home for the most visionary and talented Danish directors, including Mikkel Nørgaard and Nikolaj Arcel who have started a new wave of Danish film resulting in record-breaking box office numbers and international praise.