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Expat In Denmark > Cultural Pick of the week
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9/2/2010
My World Images
Various locations; ongoing, ends 12 September; most concerts are free; www.images.dk
There may be rhythm in raindrops, Copenhagen, but you can’t dance to it. On the contrary, these past weeks of August and their steady, wet melody have made staying indoors with a few friends and lighted candles much more the ticket for the day. But on 3 September, when the seventh installment of the My World IMAGES contemporary arts festival hits town, it will be time to put the hygge on pause and find your way through the weather to discover the wealth of music, theatre, performance art and film this mammoth endeavour offers.
Citing as its purpose to integrate and promote art and culture in developing nations, the Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU) has invited both aspiring and established artists from countries all across the globe to put their passion and talent on display. Their common goal is to raise awareness to the notion that abject poverty, indifference and cruel oppression and indifference, cannot stifle every spirit. Instead, what you will find are voices and hands raised in defiance towards the forces that would keep them quiet.
While IMAGES offers a large variety of media, including some intriguing plays and films, even grey and bleeding skies won’t stop Copenhagen from enjoying some of the live music that, for this journalist, offers the real joy and excitement of the festival. And you can dance to it.
TOP PICKS:
Tashweesh
Gl. Ridehus, Grønnegade 10, Næstved; Tue 13:30
Blågåds Plads, Cph N; 11 Sep at 21:00
Mayhem, Ragnhildsgade, Cph NV; 12 Sep at 19:00
Ny Lyd, the Danish new music firm, welcomes Tashweesh, a Palestinian audio-visual group, back to Copenhagen for a pair of shows. Boikutt, the vocalist and rapper of the group, performed as part of the indoor street party ‘Streets From Around’ at the Danish Film Institute on 18 August. Eyes trained down on his microphone like a rifle scope, white knuckles holding his sonic weapon like the steering wheel of a runaway car bomb, Boikutt hijacked the small audience’s attention for a short set. One wondered: where else in Europe, or the world for that matter could a middle-eastern man utter, no shout: ‘Jihad!’ in front of a crowd of cheering white people? This performance was without argument exceptional.
Though at times flowing over fundamental mixes, drones and bass lines, he still managed to escape mendacity by summoning an intense energy. The art is in the spoken word, and though in Arabic, Boikutt speaks with an aggression that represents the truest spirit of hip-hop: if you are broken and forgotten and angry, the louder you raise your voice, the greater chance someone will hear you. This man spouts with an urgency that rap requires in its most honest intent. His furled eyebrows and arms waving kill-shots will summon you from where your language barrier keeps you from dancing and shouting.
Tashweesh also includes visual and performing artists Basel Abbas and Ruan Abou-Rahme.
ALSO RECOMMENDED:
Profetas
Global, Nørre Allé 7, Cph N; Fri 21:00
This Columbian duo draw from their country’s rich musical tradition to create a sound that will inspire even the most leaden-footed to hop for joy.
Omar Souleyman
Blågårds Kirken, Cph N Sat 21:00
This Syrian legend - the ‘Desert Robber’ - with a catalogue of over 500 pop gems will certainly entertain.
Moroccan Funky Noise
Mjølnerparken, Cph N; Sun 16:00
Perhaps Africa’s most prolific DJ, DJ Key, joins three talented emcees from Morocco to deliver a powerful set.
Meher and Sher Ali
Global; Sunday 20:00
These two represent one of the oldest existing traditional music groups in Pakistan. They draw from classic Qawwali music, inspired by Sufi mysticism, where music is the key to the divine.
Poetry Slam
Various locations; 10-11 September
This spoken word experience will send chills up and down your spine, as African poets and artists use language like machine guns and thunderclaps to unleash their vitriol.
Jagwa Music
Global; 10 September at 20:00
This Tanzanian act uses only a handheld casio keyboard, a couple of drums, flutes, an old stool and audience participation.
Rai Ki Ris
Blågåds Plads; Saturday 21:30
Nepali punk. Nothing else needs to be said.
CW Griffin-The Copehagen Post
House of the Holy Afro
Republique, Lille Scene, Østerfælled Torv 37, 2100 Cph Ø, starts Friday, ends 11 September, performances Sun-Fri 21:00, Sat 19:00 & 23:00; tickets 195kr; www.republique.dk
Step up, because here comes a show that will make the average Zumba instructor blush with shame. Please welcome House of the Holy Afro, or not so holy as director and creator of the show Brett Bailey would say: ‘There is no holy afro - it’s just a title. We use gospel, wild expressions and poke to the Christian syncretism in Africa.’
So what can you expect from this show? The hard facts are these: it is dance performance art, so if you are expecting Hamlet you took the wrong turn at the Helsingør motorway. It is 90 minutes of non-stop, dazzling dancing and music with a message to deliver. It is traditional South African rhythms mixed with gospel, house and pop, so dust off your dancing shoes, because it is standing tickets only!
Director Brett Bailey is one of the hottest, most controversial theatre directors in South Africa. The ‘bad boy of stage art’ takes inspiration from the bias in human nature and the idea that every environment has its own hidden stories that affect our identity. With this he has created a name for himself with several notorious plays, including Big Dada: the rise and fall of Idi Amin, Orfeus, and Zombia. He makes a point of mocking political correctness and brings what you call afro- kitsch to the stage.
Afro-kitsch? Afro-kitsch is far out, exaggerated. House of the Holy Afro is very different from what Bailey has done before; it is much less political. However, it does have his brand of contempt against the mainstream and gives the finger to other so-called African realism shows such as Africa Africa and African Footprint.
House of the Holy Afro is neither interested in one nor the other version of Africa. Africa is a big melting pot where the waste from the western world - such as religions, ideologies, consumerism and cultural traits - melts together with the African colonial fragments and transforms into new phosphorescent shapes and sounds, says Bailey.
And uncompromising it is! House of the Holy Afro came to life six years ago at a South African festival in Switzerland and since then has run in several countries, including Australia, UK and various countries in Europe. In this show you will experience a journey like no other, fuelled by rhythms from ‘70s soul afro and African traditionalist sound . This is a stage show that commands its audience on the dancefloor and invites you to be a part of the ‘party’. No wonder critics have praised the ‘raw enthusiasm’ of this ‘gospel choir on acid’ for being both ‘provocative’ and ‘electrifying’.
So if you think the week is hard and all you want after hours are silence, then sit back and fall asleep. However, for all of you who are ready for something different, moving, big in the ‘shake-ya-booty’ kind of way, go and get groovy, because this is an Afro that will bring out your inner sister or brother and that will not soon be forgotten.
House of the Holy Afro is running in collaboration with the My World Images exhibitions spread across Copenhagen.
Jamina Klitsø-The Copenhagen Post Ristorante del Fiasco
Gammel Kongevej 176, 1850 Frederiksberg; open Tue-Sat 17.30-24.00, kitchen closes 22.00; 3331 7487, www.fiasco.dk
Ristorante del Fiasco is a classy, no-nonsense Italian restaurant offering astonishing value for money in the heart of Frederiksberg. Run by young Danish chef Martin Paaske Christensen, the restaurant is the perfect example of old world meets new, offering traditional Italian staples along with original dishes prepared with creativity and flair.
The restaurant is housed in an old bodega and vestiges of the classic Danish drinking house remain. There is a checked white and black timber floor with a full length bar and old style timber fittings adorn the walls. There the resemblance ends, however, and the restaurant has been tastefully redecorated with a simple colour scheme that is light and airy. Some larger tables have been imported from Florence and are ideal for larger groups, but most are small and intimate with enough room between them to avoid unwanted to eavesdropping.
Fiasco offers a variety of set menus, with a choice of between two and five courses. Beginning at 255kr, and progressing to 365kr for the full five, the menus have at least three dishes to choose from for each course, allowing you to build your own menu. The menu changes frequently, reflecting Christensen’s desire to take advantage of the best local and imported produce. He describes his style of cooking as Italian with a Nordic touch - the product of his training in both Scandinavia and Italy. After working in Michelin star restaurants, Christensen moved to the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily where he became enamoured with the freshness and simplicity of southern Italian cooking.
It’s obvious that his time in Italy was well spent, and the anti-pasti we begin with is an interesting combination of textures and flavours. There is a slice of paper thin octopus sitting beside a selection of cured meats and a delicate portion of mushroom bruschetta. The mozzarella has been imported from Campagna and is placed alongside the ricotta with cooked beetroot. We’re told each reflects a different region of Italy and all match superbly with the Spumante Aperitif we’ve chosen from the menu.
Our starters are well sized and beautifully presented. We have the orecchiette with blown calf tongue and broccoli as well as the bruschetta with spinach and goat cheese. The pasta dish is light and flavoursome and surprisingly mild, despite the veal being specially salted. The goat cheese is silken and melts wonderfully over the fresh olives and crusty base.
For a relatively small restaurant, the wine list is extensive, offering well over 70 wines from various parts of Italy. While some are classics with matching value, many are handpicked by Christensen for their quality and affordability. We try a Pinot Grigio from northern Italy that is light and with a perfectly spicy finish.
The duck breast with corn, black olives and balsamic comes as a main and is garnished with fresh red currants. The combination of the fresh fruit and vegetables combined with the duck is sublime and reflective of Christensen’s ability to think outside of the square. We also try the lamb with fresh peas, which has a smokey flavour that accentuates the lamb.
By 9pm the restaurant is full and we listen as numerous would-be diners are politely refused. It pays to book early, especially at weekends, and even earlier if you’d like a table on the pleasant outdoor terrace.
Restaurante del Fiasco offers quality and uncomplicated Italian food, representing the chef’s desire to keep things simple. Christensen is clearly a perfectionist and it’s nice to know that the dishes are prepared by his own hand. What you get in Fiasco is a level of quality that exceeds the price it comes for, making this one of the restaurants to keep your eye on.
Andy Rugg-The Copenhagen Post
Comic Invasion
You have to love seeing comedians, and admire the sheer balls it takes to stand up there alone. Not only does taking to the stage imply that they consider themselves to be funny, but then there they stand, alone in the glare of the lights and the audience, knowing that their sole purpose is to produce laughter.
But then, it’s not all hard work. As well as requiring balls of steel (or the female equivalent of course), stand-up gives the egotistical gratification that comes from straining bellies, courting chuckles and titilating titters – the best buzz in the world according to many.
TV2 Zulu are hosting this ‘roasting’ of Denmark - as they’ve dubbed it - and they’ve recruited talent from across the English-speaking world to give Danes the harsh truth. So you can expect a whole host of (hopefully) fresh takes on the jokes we all made when we first got here. Expect Hamlet, Wozniacki and offensive cartoons to get a thorough ribbing.
Compereing the evening is Geo, the only Dane in the line-up and a very funny oddball of energy. He’s a bone fide Danish nut job who loves to freak the audience out, so watch out if you are up front. Stealing beer, crowd surfing and crazy, fit-like actions that could possibly be called dancing are all part of his erratic and eccentric repertoire.
Possibly the largest person in the line-up, Craig Campbell is a hairy, short-sporting agro-ranter from the land of Mike Myers and Jim Carrey (answers on a postcard). Like them, Campbell adopts something of a screwball persona, but unlike them he has a comprehensive retinue of cheese jokes. It’s conventional comic fare, and refreshing and endearing all the same eh.
Englishman Rod Rouse’s particular trademark is a nice line in duck-based comedy. You have to wonder about what compels someone to bring a duck onto stage, but nevertheless Rod is definitely worth a few chuckles, and like Craig Campbell has toured the UK comedy circuit and the seminal Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Next up on the Anglophone roll-call is Yannis Pappas, who represents the New Yorker/Greek standpoint, and heralds what is probably a good moment to refill your drink or visit the bathroom, unless perhaps you are Greek, or hate Greeks. Or want to know more about stereotypical Greek traits. There do seem to be some fans out there in the more obscure badlands of youtube who rate him, but equally plenty who fall on the other side of the taste divide.
Then there’s Andre Wickstrøm. Lauded by many as the most handsome man in Finnland, he now lives in Sweden and performs in Swedish, so he has a voice even stranger than other Finns. Although sometimes a slow starter, bear with it – his proximity gives him plenty of Danish material in which he repeatedly clouts the nail on its red and white head.
Shazira Mirza is another veteran of the UK comedy circuit, who with seven years experience gives a generally intelligent and sincere, relaxed delivery that suits her dry style. She once sat on the panel of that crucible of comic talent Have I Got News For You back in its glory days when Angus Deaton was still quietly hoofing the white stuff in blissful privacy. Incidentally that show is well worth a watch for her co-guest Boris Johnson (now mayor of London), who proves magnificently that politics and humour are far from mutually exclusive.
All in all there should be something to suit the palettes of most ex-pats out there. Now what is the female equivalent of balls of steel? Dare you to ask.
Peter Sims-The Copenhagen Post
Buster Children’s Film Festival
Here comes the next big festival for the young generation and all the adults out there who wants to be hip with the young. Buster International Youth Film Festival is about to start, with movies from countries like Russia, Mexico, and Germany, amongst others. There are 169 films on the programme and something for all ages and generations.
To add to the fun, Pressen at The House of Politikken is inviting everyone to their special media lab, where people of every age can play with animation techniques, computer games and much more from the digital world.
This year’s themes are: sport, health, and cool girls in films, and, as this is the 10 year anniversary, there is a great deal on the programme, so I have picked out three highlights definitely worth taking a look at.
TOP PICKS:
Sayed, Soccer Talent
Grand Teatret; 13 Sep 10:15 and 17 Sep 10:30;
recommended for over-8s
This is a children’s documentary, produced in The Netherlands, about Sayed from Dubai who dreams of becoming a professional football player - ideally in Europe. He is already well-known by many European football clubs after appearing in a video clip on the internet. The film is about how aspiring dreams can come true across borders, cultures and other obstacles.
Tanner Hall
Empire Bio,13 Sept, 10:00;Kinopalæet,
18 Sept 12:00, Palads 19 Sept
The film follows four young, completely different girls in their fight to find where exactly to stand in the borderland of being a girl, but not quite a women … yet. We follow the girls through their struggles with friendship, boys and the hard discipline of the boarding school they attend. Take your teenage daughters to it and let them know that ‘this is really how difficult you can be sometimes’, but do not forget that ‘this is what we are struggling with.’ Good one for a mother/daughter day at the cinema.
Oregon Film Competition
Oregon is Denmark’s largest film competition for young people under 20. This competition focuses on the increasing interest in movie making among young people, and the improvement of the selection already in the market Before the summer the finalists were found and over the 11-13 September weekend the finalist’s movies will be shown and the winning directors chosen. There will also be master classes, lectures and help from consultants on everything from acting in to budgeting a movie. All worth a visit if you’re thinking of changing your name to Spielberg the Second.
Enjoy!
Jamina Klitsø-The Copenhagen Post
8/26/2010Othello
Rosenborg Castle, Kongens Have, Kronprinsessegade 1, 1350 Cph K; Performances on Thursday, Sep 3 & 4 at 18:00; Tickets 200kr, under-25s 80kr, www.billetnet.dk, 7015 6565; evening box office: +49 172 8629753, Un-numbered seats; www.rosenborgslot.dk; 170 mins; disabled seating on request
The American Drama Group Europe is bringing Othello - one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, which some consider the finest play ever written - to Rosenborg Castle gardens as part of their castle tour, which every year visits four continents and 30 countries. Their vision is to bring theatre to the people of the world, whenever and wherever it is possible to do it, without limitation. They have reached out to areas in countries whose infrastructure does not support conventional theatre in the pursuit of their objective: opening people’s eyes to its magic.
The themes that run strongly through this play are relevant in our modern world: racism, prejudice, love, jealousy, and betrayal. Desdemona, beautiful daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio, has fallen in love with Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian Army, after being enchanted by stories he has told her of his life and previous battles. They elope and marry, invoking the fury of Roderigo, a wealthy and dissipated man who had already asked her father for her hand in marriage.
Iago, one of Othello’s high-ranking soldiers and a veteran of many battles, is the dominant character of the play: his scheming, manipulative hand is felt throughout the action, touching every character’s existence and cruelly twisting their fates. A promotion he felt was due to him is given to the more educated tactician Cassio instead, and he is out for revenge.
Revelling in the power he can exert over both his superiors and his humbler associates, and totally amoral in his cause, he engages in a series of intrigues, inveigling himself into people’s confidence. He persuades Roderigo to inform Brabantio of his daughter’s elopement, but then leaks the information to Othello as part of his fraudulent facade of honesty.
The Turks are preparing to invade Cyprus, and Othello is sent by the Doge of Venice to command the defence. Upon arrival, they find that a storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet, and during the resultant celebration, the ever-scheming Iago provokes a fight between Cassio and Brabantio, causing Othello to strip Cassio of his rank. Iago persuades Cassio to use Desdemona as an intermediary in an appeal for clemency, and then insinuates to Othello that they are having an affair.
He goes further, and plants a stolen handkerchief, a symbol of the love between Othello and Desdemona, in Cassio’s chambers, then engineers an interview, secretly witnessed by Othello, in which he interrogates Cassio about the handkerchief, cleverly manipulating the conversation to make it sound like Cassio is talking about Desdemona, when in reality he is talking about his girlfriend Bianca.
Othello makes Desdemona’s life a misery. Cassio has been appointed to replace Othello, and Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio in order to prevent Othello and Desdemona leaving Cyprus. When Roderigo attacks Cassio, Iago helps him kills him, and then murders Roderigo to conceal his own part in the conspiracy.
In the course of time, Othello kills Desdemona, and is discovered by her maidservant Emilia, who calls for help. Iago arrives with the governor, and when Othello mentions the handkerchief as part of his explanations, Emilia, who was manipulated by Iago into stealing it, reveals his cunning role in the plot. Iago kills her, and both he and Othello are arrested.
Othello rejects an opportunity to kill Iago, preferring to leave him to live out his life in misery. He then takes his own life on the way to prison.
Watch this superb drama being played out in a setting that is at the same time both magnificent and ordinary: a garden, overlooked by an ancient castle. Taking up the role of an ordinary person of the world, rather than that of a sophisticated theatre-goer, adds a new and pure dimension of simple pleasure to our privileged, though increasingly complex, existence.
Shirley van Straaten-The Copenhagen Post
Benneweis Circus
Bellahøj, where Hulgårdsvej meets Borups Alle, 2700 Brønshøj; premiere on September 3 at 19:00, further performances Sep 4-12, performance times vary; tickets 110-260kr; www.benneweis.dk
Cirkus Benneweis is a traditional circus that delivers thrills and quality performances. According to Circopedia (yes, of course there is a Circopedia), the circus is Denmark’s best, and is among the oldest in Europe.
Founded in 1887, it has been operated by the same family for 123 years. Now a highly-respected circus, Benneweis has come a long way from the first acts made up of a few farm animals, horses, acrobats and a barrel organ performance by deaf and dumb family member Josephine.
Long-term Copenhageners might remember Cirkus Benneweis in a permanent location near Tivoli - Eli Benneweis took over the old Circus Copenhagen there in 1970, where it was situated until 1990. However, the permanent location was overly expensive, so Eli opted to maintain only the travelling show. A savvy circus businessman, Eli had expanded the family empire from a mid-sized circus to Denmark’s largest. Today, the circus is led by Diana Benneweis, who was for many years the star equestrian performer.
Today’s acts look to meet the circus gold standard - to keep your four-year-old entranced and delighted while keeping the adults reasonably charmed. Included among the current line-up of sensations are: Cong Tian, master of the slack rope, who will walk, ride a unicycle, and otherwise delicately balance himself; Alle’ Art Ensemble, a sizeable group of modern acrobats, who could be seen using a very flexible person for a jum prope; aerial acrobats Yves and Ambra, who perform the tissu act (hanging silk fabric) to a little tango music; Don Christian, an Austrian clown clad in lederhosen; Yves Nicols, who juggles while looking a bit like ‘Road Warrior’; and Farellos, a domestic comedy routine on a unicycle. Among the menagerie, cats, dogs, horses will be found - and what can be better than watching some huge elephants gracefully balance or move about?
For those with budding young circus performers, Cirkus Benneweis offers some free lessons in horsemanship, or at least they get a free ride on a horse in the ring. The lessons take place 30 minutes before the show and are free for children with tickets. Roger Metten is the instructor, and kids can learn a few tricks safely - including how to stand on horseback! But watch out, they might just run away with Cirkus Benneweis ...
Greg Vendana-The Copenhagen Post
Do-it-yourself Triathlon
Locations across Cph, Sat-Sun
Nothing is more pleasing to armchair athlete/weekend warrior types than the flat terrain and calm waters around Copenhagen. The Iron Man triathlon zealots are done, having driven themselves to exhaustion last weekend by running a marathon (nearly 42.2km), biking 180km and swimming 3.8km, all in one day. Now it’s time for them to stand down and make way for the DIY triathletes, amateur dilettantes though we may be.
Three separate, unrelated events over two days allow swimmers, bikers and walkers to patch together a faux triathlon … or not. And for ardent competitors who aren’t ready to call it quits, some of these events are geared toward serious athletes, who will mostly start early and be done by the time the rest of us are crawling out of bed to amble for charity, bike for the views and swim just for fun. And for the truly torpid, there’s always the joy of spectatorship.
How many cities can boast of water clean enough to swim in, right in the middle of town? Not New York, certainly not Paris or London. But Copenhagen can, and the Open Water plunge around Christianborg proves it. In addition to the 10km championship swim and 2km fun one, this year there’s a team relay event, the Kruger baton, in which corporate, family or club teams of four each swim 500 metres. Serious swimmers start at 9am, while the rest of us get to sleep in, then dive in, at 12:15 or 13:30. Open Water begins and ends at the Black Diamond, and swimmers can see Christianborg, Knippelsbro, the old Stock Exchange and Gammel Strand, if they’re looking.
Following the traditional triathlon order, cyclists can go all out at the second event with a 128km road race and amble all the way up to Humlebaek, choose a shorter opion and cruise past old fortifications for 64km, do a leisurely 25km ride through the city centre past historic buildings and landmarks, or pedal like a maniac 50 times around Christianborg island for 70km. All of the events (bar the maniac one) begin in the morning, giving you plenty of time to complete your ride before the final event. All races/rides begin and end at Christianborg.
ECCO Walk-a-ThonKastellet CPH Ø, Sun 09:30, walks start at 11:00 (10km) and 12:00 (6km); adults 50kr, kids 25kr; www.ecco.com/dk
For the final leg of the ‘faux-athlon’, surely no one would object if you insisted on running, but look at the name and lighten up! Especially if you’ve already been swimming and biking. The 12th ECCO Walk-a-thon is a major event for a good cause, with all funds raised going to three charities — the Child Heart Fund, World Wildlife Federation and SOS Children’s Villages in Burundi. So, as the sponsors say, give money by using your feet. Walk-a-thon begins and ends at the Kastellet fortress near Langlinie, with 10km and 6km options and lots of food and kids’ activities. Activities begin at 9:30am and both walks start at noon, the 10km towards Langelinie and the 6km through the King’s Garden. For every kilometre walked, ECCO will donate 7.5 kroner to charity. This means millions for organisations that really need it.
Emily Clark-The Copenhagen Post Etika
Ny Østergade 14, 1101 Cph K; open Mon-Wed 11.00-24.00, Thu 11.00-01.00, Fri-Sat 11.00-02.00; bookings & enquiries: 3336 5300, takeaway: 3336 5400, etika@etikataste.com
With Sushi restaurants popping up on every other corner, it’s easy to assume they’re all the same. Defined by its simplicity, Sushi’s focus on raw ingredients means it can be prepared by even the most novice Sushi chef. The difference, of course, are the ingredients used and it is here where Etika separates itself from the pack.
Born out of the Faroe Islands, the Etika concept is based on the unique ingredients that hail from that little known Danish outpost. With the variety and freshness of the fish unique to that part of the world, it was a natural step to employ it in Japanese cuisine. The seafood used in Etika’s dishes is flown directly from the Faroes, resulting in a level of freshness that is both noticeable and noteworthy.
The restaurant itself is a colourful combination of modern Danish design. The orange and purple colours of the restaurant branding are in abundance, but the careful lighting and dark walls mean the effect is bright and uplifting rather than gaudy and over the top. There’s enough space to cater for large groups without being crowded,l and the splitting of the restaurant into ‘white’ and ‘black’ sections means there’s room for both diners and those seeking to take advantage of the well-stocked bar.
We’re shown to a cosy corner table, situated in front of a blackboard that serves as a wall, scrawled with cute Danish and Japanese sayings and drawings. We’re brought sashimi first and the thick salmon pieces are expertly arranged on minimalist garnishes besides fresh wasabi and ginger slices. Spicy tuna rolls and inside out rolls accompany the sashimi, and it’s reassuring to see them expertly assembled in the open kitchen.
The restaurant offers a number of signature dishes that are creative and unusual - the careful compositions of head chef Diego Simeone. Our favourite is the scallops fried in Japanese filo pastry. Served with a soy and egg foam and garnished with a spicy Japanese salad, the four large scallops are pushed together and arranged to resemble a large caterpillar. The scallops literally dissolve in the mouth and are accentuated by a light wasabi sauce.
Although the wine list in the process of transforming, we’re given a light Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand that matches perfectly with the wasabi and ginger of the sushi dishes. We’re told that champagne is popular among diners, and there’s an extensive list of bubblies on the menu.
After a selection of excellent sea food dishes, we’re served chicken dumplings with gyoza sauce, along with a selection of meats served on ‘sticks’. The dumplings are not deep fried and are both light and tasty. The meat dish comes with a pork and basil stick, a lamb chop stick, a steak and foirgras stick and two veal liver servings so light and creamy it’s like eating pâté, on a stick.
Details are important to Etika - from the cutlery and glassware to the finishings in the bathroom - and it’s clear that the restaurant has high standards. With seafood unrivalled in the city and with a chef who isn’t afraid to use it, Etika deserves its place as Copenhagen’s standout Japanese restaurant.
Andy Rugg-The Copenhagen Post
Toy Story 3
Dir: Lee Unkrich; US animated comedy, 2010, 103 minutes; Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, John Morris
Premiered 26 August
I have raved about Pixar before. When Up came out I praised the studio’s effortlessly moving, engaging and, well, mesmerising film artistry. And the funny thing is that with Pixar, flattery seems well deserved even in shameless degrees. The good news then: Toy Story 3 ties right in with that observation.
The film hits the ground running, opening on a hijacked train in the Wild West, hotly persued by the sheriff, Woody (Hanks). This scene, though irrelevant to the plot, couldn’t signal its level of intensity better. It feels like a party opening.
When an adult interrupts this wonderland of Andy’s (Morris) imagination, reality starts to sink in. Andy is going away to college and will have to doom Woody, Buzz (Allen), Rex, Jessie, the Potato Heads etc. to the trash can, the attic or an unknowable pension at the Daycare Centre ‘Sunnyside’. Neither alternative is appealing, but Sunnyside at least flags the promise of kids at play. To be played with is any toy’s raison d’etre.
Those who remember how ‘growing old’ was rendered in Up’s opening scenes will agree that Pixar does ‘feelings’ extremely well. Before we so much as leave Andy’s room nostalgia, courage, despair, loyalty, and hope have already been seamlessly woven into the film’s fabric. Kudos to the animators, voice artists, and writers for making these HC Andersenesque toy-feeings so delightfully convincing.
As for the point of no return, the gates’ closing at Sunnyside is a defining moment. And if you thought the crew had by now exhausted the 20th century’s toy store catalogues, keep your eyes peeled. A plethora of classic playthings become alive there at night (I think I even spotted some BRIO). This is where a single Barbie finally meets her Ken – hilariously so.
Unfortunately appearances can be deceiving. Big Baby is scary like something out of the horror film Dolls, with a frozen eyelid and a spinning rubberneck. And the place is run like a labour camp by a despotic teddy bear with a heart of flint (Beatty). This isn’t where toys go to grow old – but to be abused and then tossed.
Our heroes’ attempt at escape is nothing short of inspired. Ferocious twists push toys and film technology to their limits as moviegoers scratch their heads and kiss their ticket stub.
It’s a tremendous accomplishment that underneath all the fun and exuberance runs a very ‘adult’ undercurrent of life’s challenging issues – ageing, belonging, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, love and evil. And without the least bit of cheese (I swear) Toy Story 3 crowns its masterpiece by somehow demonstrating that ‘you don’t quit playing when you get old, you get old when you quit playing.’
Playing nationwide
Kasper R Guldberg-The Copenhagen Post
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