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Film Review: KNIGHT OF FORTUNE
by Karen Pecota

Lasser Lyskjær Noer, Denmark 2023

Karl's wife just passed, and he must visit the mortuary after the mortician has prepared her body for viewing. Grief stricken, Karl cannot bring himself to open his wife's casket once the mortician leaves the room in order to pay his respects. But, he does have the gumption to try and fix the faulty flickering lamp in the viewing room.

Karl's failed attempt to fix the lamp frustrates him and he goes to the men's restroom for solace. He meets Torben who is grieving the passing of his wife. The two discover they have difficulty being alone in the room with the coffin of their female loved one. They propose to accompany each other for support.

The two enter a room which Karl assumes is the place Torben's wife's coffin is resting. On the count of three they open the coffin together. Torben removes a clump of papers from his coat pocket. He begins to read the written words to his wife in a slow rhythmic cadence. Karl is extremely uncomfortable with this pace and asks Torben how many pages he will read. Torben counts out loud thirty-three. Karl is annoyed but remains composed and respectful. The next minute the door opens and family members of the deceased begin to file into the room.

Karl supports Torben as he joins with the family giving their condolences and special remarks. The mortician enters to see the two men with a family which neither of them belongs to. Karl is mortified when the situation is explained to him and harsh words are exchanged with the mortician.

Karl and Torben lament over the death of their wives but for a few short hours each embrace the comedy of errors of their encounter as a heartening side to healing their grief.