28/11/2024
The story of Midt i Maden takes place in a shared dorm kitchen and living roomâa space where cultures and traditions meet (and sometimes clash). Katarina, a young Russian-Danish woman, is trying to navigate life in a Danish dorm during Christmas, but things donât go as planned. These seemingly ordinary spaces set the stage for the filmâs most emotional and cultural moments.
As the production designer, my task was to transform a blank, modern kitchen and living room into believable shared spacesâmessy, warm, and full of life. I started by analyzing the characters: young people from diverse backgrounds, each leaving their personal touch on the place. My goal was to create a mix of chaos and coziness that truly reflects the reality of communal living.
~The Process~
I imagined how these characters would interact with their environmentâmaybe someone leaving a cheeky Post-it on the fridge, a pair of slippers forgotten in the corner, or mismatched decor that speaks to their different tastes. These spaces became canvases for shared and clashing personalities, layered with leftover decorations from past celebrations and everyday mess.
Because itâs Christmas, festive details were essentialâbut nothing too perfect. Scattered almonds for risalamande, a used mixing bowl on the counter, or a half-finished ornament hint at Katarinaâs attempts to fit in by embracing Danish traditions. These elements brought the set to life, helping ground it in the storyâs reality.
Creating these spaces was all about balancing realism with storytelling, making them feel authentic while supporting the filmâs themes. It was hard work, but so rewarding!
Thank-yous!
â€ïž Thank you for trusting me with this project, and .
đš A huge thanks to ODER / UNO for literally helping me build a wall.
đȘ Shoutout to for all the set-up and take-down help.
đ And to for being my assistant during shoot days.
