Local Premiere – in Prison

If walls could talk, the walls at FÆNGSLET would tell stories of confinement, isolation, and endurance.

For its first edition, HORSENS:DOX invited audiences into FÆNGSLET, transforming the historic prison into a stage for dialogue on youth loneliness through curated films and moderated conversations. In partnership with internationally renowned CPH:DOX, we brought a world-class documentary program to Horsens, blending global perspectives with a deeply local and site-specific experience.

ADDRESSING A GROWING SOCIETAL CHALLENGE

Loneliness among young people is a growing societal challenge in Denmark. Around 600,000 Danes experience severe loneliness, contributing to an estimated 800,000 lost workdays each year, alongside rising mental health struggles and social disconnection.

At FÆNGSLET, we wanted to confront this challenge through culture, reflection, and dialogue — in a setting that itself resonates with the theme. How could a space with a complex history amplify the conversation about isolation, community, and human connection?

If walls and prison bars could talk: History and Movie Experiences melt together

Through carefully selected documentaries and facilitated discussions, the festival explored the many faces of loneliness — from societal pressures to intimate human stories — creating a space for reflection, empathy, and conversation on a challenge that affects so many lives.

This, amidst the 150-year-old prison bars and brick walls surrounding this festival in old tales and stories about isolation, loneliness, and community – plus, this was also where the very last decapitation in Denmark took place!

HORSENS:DOX is more than just movies – it is a space for joint exploration, learnings and reflections.

– Heine Nielsen Kofoed
(Head of Events, FÆNGSLET)

GLOBAL STORIES & SHARED HUMAN THEMES

Partnering with CPH:DOX, we curated three documentaries from Japan, Norway, and Denmark, each exploring different facets of isolation, societal pressure, and resilience. The historic prison walls of FÆNGSLET, with more than 150 years of confinement, trauma, and stories of human struggle, provided a deeply symbolic backdrop for the festival.

We are presenting a program from societal issues to touching human stories — there will be something for everyone.

– Heine Nielsen Kofoed
(Head of Events, FÆNGSLET)

Featured Films, HORSENS:DOX 2024:

• The Contestant (Japan) – In reality’s answer to The Truman Show, this is the wild story of a Japanese man who became a national superstar without even knowing it, in a bizarre one-man reality TV show, navigating fame, personal freedom, and involuntary isolation.
• En Vild Familie (Norway) – A self-sufficient family faces tragedy, exploring reintegration into modern society and the tension between radical choices and everyday life.
• Ekko af Kærlighed (Denmark) – A poetic and deeply personal story of lifelong love, reflecting on what remains when love is lost, blending humor, grief, and life-affirming insight.

Moderated talks on stage: Captivating stories from TV celebreties

The event combined screenings with a moderated panel discussion led by Danish Radio P4 host Nanna Nørregaard, featuring Jesper Westmark (‘Alene i Vildmarken’) and Stephanie Siguenza (‘Årgang 0’), both of whom shared personal experiences of loneliness, isolation, and societal reintegration.

Jesper Westmark reflected on the many people who have experienced isolation in prison realting it to his own experience in the wilderness.

“Many people have been isolated in prison, and there are many wounds and traumas embedded in these buildings — making them a fascinating starting point for our conversation on loneliness and isolation.”

– Jesper Westmark
(‘Alone’ Season 4 Contestant)

Stephanie Siguenza shared how her childhood, growing up with a criminal father and a mother with changing partners, was documented over 18 years on national television, turning a chaotic and difficult life into a public story:

“A prison holds so many stories in itself, and I’m excited to see how tonight’s documentary stories and our conversation unfold in a place that already carries so many narratives and destinies through its history.”

– Stephanie Siguenza
(‘Årgang 0’, Reality TV Show Contestant)

Together, the panel guided the audience through a thought-provoking dialogue on isolation, loneliness, and the search for belonging. The discussion highlighted how personal experiences, societal pressures, and media exposure intersect, creating a compelling reflection on human resilience.

Local Success – National Positioning

The local premiere of HORSENS:DOX drew over 100 guests, offering a fully immersive experience where history, film, and dialogue melted together.

By partnering with internationally renowned CPH:DOX, HORSENS:DOX successfully positioned FÆNGSLET on the national cultural map, establishing it as a unique venue for storytelling and societal reflection.

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