Recent discussions and digital restorations have brought a "new" wave of interest to this 2009 classic. Sekunder (2009) - Anders Fløe Svenningsen - Letterboxd
The perpetrator of the underlying crime whose actions serve as the story's dark inciting incident.
Sekunder is often categorized within the "rape-revenge" genre, though its short format and non-linear storytelling prioritize the psychological impact on the family unit over pure spectacle. It examines the "seconds" that change a life forever—the moment of a crime, the moment of a confession, and the moment of a decision that can never be undone. Sekunder (Short 2009) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
Because of the reverse structure, the audience initially sees the father as a violent offender. It is only in the final "seconds" (the film's namesake) that his role as a grieving, vengeful parent is clarified. Cast & Characters 👥 Tao Hildebrand as Kenni (The Father) Marie Hammer Boda as Mathilde (The Daughter) Jens Bo Jørgensen as Ebbe (The Perpetrator) Pernille Glavind Olsson as Karen (Ebbe's Wife) Visual Style & Tone 🌑
Directed by Anders Fløe Svenningsen (frequently credited as Anders Fløe) and co-written with Nikolaj Sonqvist, this independent cinematic piece stands out for its bold narrative structure, raw emotional performances, and challenging moral themes. Though it is a brief work, it packs a massive structural and thematic punch, subverting audience expectations minute by minute. Plot Overview: A Story Told in Reverse sekunder 2009 short film new
By telling the story in reverse, Sekunder challenges the audience to re-evaluate their feelings about the father’s actions.
Visual anchors representing societal judgment and law enforcement. Aesthetic, Tone, and Cinematic Style
The 12-year-old daughter whose confession triggers the plot. The antagonist whose actions destroy two families. Pernille Glavind Olsson Ebbe's wife, caught in the crossfire of the revelation. Amalie Amorøe Ebbe's daughter. Jacob Fisker & Nikolaj Sonqvist Police Officers
As the film progresses backward in time, it slowly reveals the tragic secret and the events that led to the opening scene. Why it’s "New" Again Recent discussions and digital restorations have brought a
Drama/Thriller
Fits tightly within the traditional Academy short film criteria of under 40 minutes. Tao Hildebrand (Kenni)
. By presenting the story backward, the filmmaker initially misleads the audience, potentially causing them to view the father as an offender before revealing the true context of his actions. Letterboxd Plot Summary
Unlike traditional linear dramas, the film opens in media res . Viewers are immediately confronted with the aftermath of an incredibly violent act and the subsequent arrival of the police. As the clock winds backward, the audience discovers that Kenni has taken law into his own hands, tracking down and enacting a cruel, calculated revenge plot against Ebbe. Only in the final minutes of the short film does the true catalyst emerge: Mathilde confesses a deeply buried, horrifying secret to her father, revealing that she was the victim of a sexual crime committed by Ebbe. Core Themes and Character Dynamics It examines the "seconds" that change a life
The short film format requires highly concentrated storytelling. Sekunder manages to pack intense emotional weight into its concise runtime by focusing heavily on three primary thematic pillars:
"Sekunder" (2009) is Straus's most notable work to date, earning her international recognition and critical acclaim. The film's success has paved the way for Straus to continue pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, exploring new themes and techniques in her subsequent works.
Short-form content usually means fast cuts and quick dopamine hits. Ironically, a counter-movement has emerged on TikTok and YouTube Shorts where creators analyze —films that force viewers to sit with discomfort and silence. Clips from Sekunder (specifically a 60-second scene where Erik watches rain fall two seconds after it lands) have accumulated millions of views under the hashtag #SlowCinema. For Gen Z viewers discovering Persson’s work for the first time, it feels radically new because it defies every convention of 2020s rapid-fire storytelling.