In 1755, the impoverished captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) sets out to conquer the harsh Danish heath to build a colony in the name of the King. In exchange, he’ll receive a desperately desired Royal name. But the sole ruler of the area, the merciless Frederik de Schinkel, believes this land is his. When de Schinkel learns that the maid Ann Barbara and her servant husband have escaped to Kahlen, the spiteful ruler swears revenge. Kahlen will not be intimidated and engages in an unequal battle – risking not only his life but also that of the family of outsiders that has formed around him.

Co-written and directed by Nikolaj Arcel, whose “A Royal Affair”, resulted in an Academy Award nomination. “The Promised Land” is a good old-fashioned melodrama told with vigour and finesse, and reflective of contemporary concerns around equality and diversity.