Knight of Fortune is a short drama written and directed by Lasse Lyskjær Noer and produced by Jalabert Productions, consisting of Christian Nortyk, Kim Magnusson, Hanne Bruun, and Tobias Damkjaer. As an Oscar contender, I was compelled to add this film to my list of nominated potentials.
I found this “Knight of Fortune” short film touching and enriching.
Karl (Leif Andrée) is a widower who has come to see his late wife at the morgue. He struggles to accept his loss and can’t bring himself to open her casket. A broken light fixture hangs above him that he finds much easier to fix than to actually open the casket. He meets another widower, Torben (Jens Jørn Spottag), in the bathroom who asks for toilet paper while in the stall. Karl reluctantly complies. When done, Torben starts a conversation and asks Karl to help him see his dead wife, as he does not believe he has the strength to do it himself. Karl’s first reaction was to wonder why Torben couldn’t ask one of his friends or family members. Hesitantly, Karl says no but starts to change his mind when Torben looks sad. Karl finally gives in and makes the decision to help Torben.
The two then enter one of the rooms to see Torben’s dead wife. Torben convinces Karl, that they both should open the chest together to see his wife. Torben then tells Karl that he has prepared 32 pages of speech to his deceased wife. Annoyed, Karl ultimately decides to stay as Torben begins to read. By the second page, the two find common ground as they realize that both their wives were fans of the song “Knight of Fortune” by Rocazino. The pair then seems to both enjoy their following conversation but is interrupted by the Mortuary Porter and eight people entering the room.
The porter then presents the casket to the eight people. Karl, a bit confused, looks at Torben who with dread takes some steps back towards the wall. Karl joins him, still confused about what is going on. He asks Torben whether the people who have entered the room are of his family. Torben shakes his head no. This mystery lasts throughout the entire drama. First, there is Karl who hasn’t seen his wife yet, then there’s Torben who also hasn’t seen his wife yet. Now a whole new family enters the story whom we don’t have any idea of who they are and still no one has seen their deceased loved one. Karl befriends Torben then Karl and Torben befriend the other family of eight, leaving us very confused. While Knight of Fortune is only 26 minutes long, there is enough mystery and ambiguity to fill an entire full-length movie. This is where I tell you to Check It Out! “Knight of Fortune” is streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
This “Knight of Fortune” short was actually released in 2022 and has less than 50 reviews so there is no Rotten Tomatoes rating however, there is an audience score of 80%.
[KNIGHTS OF FORTUNE has been Oscar-nominated at the 96th Academy Awards for BEST: Live Action Short Film — TOTALING 1 OSCAR NOMINATION]
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