The Shamer's Daughter (2015)

	Also Known As: Skammerens datter (original)
	Year of first release: 2015
	Director: Kenneth Kainz
	Actors: Jakob Oftebro, Allan Hyde, Maria Bonnevie
	Country: DK, N, CZ, IS
	Genre: Fantasy
	Conditions of visioning: 29.01.2016, Cinema PARADISO, GIFFF2016
Synopsis: When the heir to the king is accused to have killed is whole family, a mind-reader is called for help. Her daughter will also get involved by another claimant to the throne.
Review: I absolutely wanted to see this European Fantasy movie shown at the Gérardmer Film Festival even though not in the official competition. It is not so often that such movie is produced on our old continent: based on a best-selling Fantasy novel, first of a trilogy of films if successful, and incorporating special effects to depict a Fantasy world. All of this we are normally used to see in American productions, so it was a real pleasure to see that The Shamer does not suffer from the comparison with such series as Narnia or The Golden Compass, on the contrary. The movie is not really violent, so open to any public in fact, but it is as well like that. Some turns of events are original and refreshing as not coming from the usual Hollywood pot. The typical Fantasy story is simple but efficient and the involvement of a young girl with magic powers reminded me of the works of Trudi Cavanan (The Black Magician and Age of the Five trilogies) and it is in fact adapted from a series of book by Lene Kaaberbøl. There are knights, dragons (with an original design), fortresses overlooking cliffs... The only thing I could criticize would be the music that is a bit too present when trying to guide the audience's feelings, but this is not overly disturbing.
Rating: 7 /10