Thomas Vinterberg on Avoiding Cliches in Climate Change Series ‘Families Like Ours’

When the Syrian War erupted in 2011, sparking a wave of refugees fleeing to Europe, Thomas Vinterberg felt a profound empathy for the millions forced to abandon their homes. The Oscar-winning director of Another Round, The Hunt, and The Celebration began pondering the question: What if disaster struck closer to home, and Europeans themselves became refugees?

This line of thought eventually led to Families Like Ours, a miniseries that Vinterberg premieres at the Venice Film Festival before it heads to TIFF. The series imagines a future where rising sea levels compel Denmark to completely evacuate, turning its six million residents into refugees seeking shelter in any country willing to host them.

Featuring a stellar ensemble cast of Danish talent, including Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Thomas Bo Larsen, David Dencik, Paprika Steen, and Magnus Millang, the six-part series is produced by StudioCanal and Zentropa and will air on Denmark’s TV2 in October. StudioCanal will also handle worldwide distribution.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Vinterberg explained his decision to avoid typical “disaster film cliches.” Instead, he chose to focus on the human elements of climate change and mass migration, crafting what he describes as a “dystopia in slow motion.” The inspiration for the show also stemmed, in part, from a personal experience with a rude French waiter.

The idea emerged over six years ago, long before COVID-19 and the Ukraine war. It originated from observing how Syrian refugees were treated in Copenhagen and imagining how Westerners would cope if they found themselves in a similar predicament. Vinterberg stated that the psychological questions, like whom to prioritize in a crisis, are the core of his series. He chose not to include scenes of natural catastrophes or flooding, focusing instead on the human drama of the situation.

The real trigger for the series came during Vinterberg’s time in Paris, where he felt unwelcome as an outsider. This unsettling experience made him contemplate the plight of families forced to separate, drawing inspiration from the film Brooklyn, about European immigration to the United States in the 1950s. His daughters’ concerns about climate change further solidified his resolve to create the show.

Although the series does not depict natural disasters, extensive research was conducted, not just on climate change but on Denmark’s possible actions in such a scenario. Vinterberg and his team consulted experts and officials to imagine how Denmark might react preemptively to a climate disaster. They speculated that the country would prioritize the mass evacuation of its citizens over delaying tactics.

Denmark’s complex political history regarding migration also influenced the series. Vinterberg expressed his disappointment with Denmark’s recent restrictive migration policies, contrasting them with the country’s more humanitarian past. This history adds depth to the series, echoing the question: “What if we are the refugees?”

The series explores how different European countries, and potentially others, would react to an influx of Danish refugees. The underlying theme is that crises often lead to regression and aggression but can also reveal human generosity. Vinterberg highlighted that the core of the story revolves around personal sacrifices and acts of courage.

After completing the series, Vinterberg admitted that he remains ambivalent about the future. He pondered why people continue harmful practices despite knowing they are detrimental, suggesting that this is the best people can do under overwhelming circumstances like climate change.

Asked if he ever revisited the Parisian cafe to thank the rude waiter who partly inspired the series, Vinterberg humorously noted that the waiter would likely not remember him and might insult him once more.

Check out the trailer for Families Like Ours below.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter