Christian Holten Bonke (born 13 August 1973) is a Danish documentary filmmaker and screenwriter. He has directed music videos, commercials and documentary series for television, most recently ''Uffe’s Alternative.'' (2 episodes, DR 2015). He was educated at the
National Film School of Denmark
The National Film School of Denmark ( da, Den Danske Filmskole) is an independent institution under the Ministry of Culture of Denmark, Danish Ministry of Cultural Affairs. It was established in 1966 and is based on Holmen, Copenhagen, Holmen in ...
, graduating in 2005.
His film ''Ballroom Dancer'' (2011), won several awards from around the world.
The film is a documentary portrait of a retired ballroom dancer, who attempts to return to the world elite; a quest with a high personal cost. The documentaries Bonke chooses to work on usually have a dramatic character. The person portrayed develops and has a mission to accomplish.
This gives Bonke the opportunity to work with a variety of dramatic and visual tricks, perhaps more typical from feature film. We see examples of this in ''First Love'' (2007), ' and ''Ejersbo''.
In the TV documentary ''Uffe's Alternative'', he follows politician
Uffe Elbæk
Uffe Elbæk (born 15 June 1954) is a Danish politician, social worker, author, journalist, entrepreneur. In 2013 he founded the green political party The Alternative, which he led until February 2020. He is an independent member of the Folketin ...
with his camera in the hectic period from the formation of the party
The Alternative in November 2013, through to the June 2015 general election. The film joins the documentary style of the observing camera, or
direct cinema, often used in political documentaries. Examples of note include US D.A. Penne Baker’s ''
The War Room
''The War Room'' is a 1993 American documentary film about Bill Clinton's campaign for President of the United States during the 1992 United States presidential election. Directed by Chris Hegedus and D. A. Pennebaker, the film was released on D ...
'' (1993) about Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992, and (2003) on Danish prime minister
Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Anders Fogh Rasmussen (; born 26 January 1953) is a Danish politician who was the 24th Prime Minister of Denmark from November 2001 to April 2009 and the 12th Secretary General of NATO from August 2009 to October 2014. He became CEO of politi ...
's negotiations around the enlargement of the EU in 2002.
A recurring theme in Bonke’s films, regardless of form, is the fascination with someone who is truly passionate about an idea. His films are very personal portraits, and he always puts the human aspect at the apex.
Filmography
References
External links
*http://www.dfi.dk/faktaomfilm/person/en/167852.aspx?id=167852
*http://filmcentralen.dk/gymnasiet/undervisning/ejersbo#3601-8834
*http://digitalt.tv/uffes-alternativ-paa-dr2/
*http://www.dfi.dk/faktaomfilm/film/en/70394.aspx?id=70394
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonke, Christian Holten
1973 births
Living people
Danish documentary filmmakers
Danish male screenwriters
People from Fredericia
Danish film directors