The Bogey Man (1996)
The first of Jesper W. Nielsen trilogy: Buldermanden, Lykkefanten and Ogginoggen. Ida and her little brother are visiting their strict grandmother who threatens them with the bogey man if they are not kind. When Ida's little brother gets a toy dog from her grandmother, Ida becomes jealous and lures the brother to show the dog for the bogey man.
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Reviews
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.
Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
The previous comment was insightful, and I would like just to add that this film not only has a suspenseful atmosphere, it's also exploring emotions of guilt in a child, and it contains a lot of humour.The comparison with Hitchcock doesn't work for the comic element of this movie, it's more in line with Tove Jansson's books or Franz Kafka. I would, however, halt the Kafka comparisons there, although a child's perception of her surroundings may be similar sometimes to the feeling of alienation that is often experienced by readers of Kafka.The use of sound in this film contributes to the overall atmosphere, and draws on further inspirations than Hitchcock.I was more than 30 when I saw it, and it made me feel (indeed: feel) like a child.
This is a fairly successful attempt of making a Hitchcock for children. Black and white images, extensive use of close ups and audio effects, makes this short exiting even for adults. This film is versatile like a Ravensburger board game, from 6-99, although I suggest you keep one finger on the volume button if young children are present.