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Drama Cult Classic

In 1970s Copenhagen, free love means anything but simple for a man obsessed.

DEAR IRENE

1971 · 1h 42m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Ebbe has lost his job and is in love with Irene. Irene is married. Her husband accepts her other relationships, and she takes full advantage, even with other women. Ebbe is desperate to have Irene fully and completely.

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Quick Answer

What is Dear Irene about?

Dear Irene is a 1971 Danish drama film directed by Christian Braad Thomsen about Ebbe, a man who loses his job and becomes infatuated with Irene, a married woman whose open marriage challenges his desires.

Programmer's Pick

Dear Irene isn’t content with polite Danish drama—it dives into the messy realities of open marriage and sexual liberation, with Ebbe’s longing crashing up against Irene’s unapologetic freedom. Copenhagen never looked so candid, or so complicated.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in Copenhagen during the era of sexual revolution, Dear Irene follows Ebbe, a man facing both professional and romantic frustration. After losing his job, Ebbe becomes fixated on Irene, a married woman whose approach to love is anything but conventional. Irene's husband openly accepts her other relationships, and she embraces her freedom, engaging with men and women alike. Ebbe, caught between his longing and the shifting rules of intimacy around him, yearns for exclusivity in a world that seems to reject it. The film explores the emotional complexities of open marriage, jealousy, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment amidst social change.

Details & Specs

Director
Christian Braad Thomsen
Writers
Mette Knudsen, Christian Braad Thomsen
Release
1971
Runtime
1h 42m
Country
Denmark
Language
Danish
Genres
Drama
Also Known As
Dear Irene, Sevgili Irene, Original title: Kære Irene

Why This Matters

Written and directed by Christian Braad Thomsen, this Danish drama was selected for screening at the 32nd Venice Film Festival, marking its recognition at an international event.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Christian Braad Thomsen Writers: Mette Knudsen +1 more
MK Mette Knudsen Agneta Ekmanner Agneta Ekmanner Birgit Brüel Birgit Brüel Olaf Nielsen Olaf Nielsen Elin Reimer Elin Reimer PM Poul Malmkjær VP Vagn Peyk LL Lene Larsen KN Kasper Neergaard KB Katrine Behrendt MB Mary Berntsen SG Steen Grove Møller BB Bodil Birket-Smith JB Jette Boysen BG Bente Graugaard BS Bente Simonsen Claus Hesselberg Claus Hesselberg

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Why Cult

Open Marriage Dynamics

Witness how Irene's marriage navigates the boundaries of free love, with her husband's acceptance and her many lovers.

Sexual Revolution On Screen

The film captures the spirit and complications of 1970s sexual liberation, complete with candid nudity and shifting relationships.

Copenhagen Backdrop

Set in Denmark's capital, the story uses its urban setting to ground its exploration of changing social mores.

Raw Emotional Honesty

Ebbe's struggle with jealousy and desire pulls no punches, offering a frank look at the costs of liberated love.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Dear Irene? +

Dear Irene was directed by Christian Braad Thomsen.

How long is Dear Irene? +

Dear Irene has a runtime of 102 minutes.

What genre is Dear Irene? +

Dear Irene is a drama.

Where can I watch Dear Irene? +

Dear Irene is available to watch on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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