1:1 (film)

1:1 is a 2006 Danish social drama film directed by Annette K. Olesen. The film is an allegorical exploration of the relationships between members of different ethnic groups, seeking to show the cyclical processes through which enmity between the immigrant Arab and native Danish communities in Denmark is maintained.

Synopsis

Mia (a Danish girl) and Shadi (an Arab boy) are two young lovers whose relationship blossoms in the most hostile of environments: a block of housing projects of lower class Copenhagen, where they both live. Shadi finds things especially difficult, and must hide his affair from his parents, while Mia (and her mother) contend with a grandmother who insists that the housing block and the people in it are not worthy of them, and constantly pleads that they move elsewhere.

When Mia’s brother, Per, is brutally beaten, requiring constant medical care, all concerned wonder at his attacker. Shadi suspects his boxer brother Tariq, whom he knows was at the same party Per attended the night of his assault, and who doesn’t approve of the relationship between him and Mia. Shadi confronts his brother, but cannot stand up to him strongly enough to find out the truth. Meanwhile, the rumor that Tariq might be responsible for her brother’s assault finds Mia shocked, and she turns to Benji, a Danish boy from the same projects who has an interest in her.

After a painful meeting with Mia where Shadi finds out she blames his brother for the attack, Shadi finds new resolve to confront Tariq again, who in turn promises he was not involved in Per’s assault, but was responsible for an unrelated violent altercation that night. He explains that this is why he was not willing until now to clear the matter with police for fear of his violent reputation indicting him despite his innocence. Arriving at the police station the brothers find that Tariq is no longer considered a person of interest, as Per’s attackers have been successfully identified and arrested.

Shadi decides to immediately go to Mia and explain what has happened. He calls her to arrange a meeting. However, news of her brother’s true attackers has not yet reached Mia, and she calls Benji, telling him she is expecting Shadi soon. Benji and his friends find Shadi alone in front of Mia’s apartment block, and beat him in revenge. Shadi later finds himself in hospital as well, where even as he waits to be treated for his injuries, his brother and friends plan retaliation against the Danish boys. Meanwhile, in the same hospital, Per has rested and healed enough to wake up, but too late to stop any of the irrepairable damage done to trust and friendship in the short time since his assault.