Copenhagen Compass
Nearly two months ago, Off-Screen embarked on its annual city trip in late October and early November, spending a memorable week in Denmark’s enchanting capital, Copenhagen.
Aftermovie
The Reporter Committee created an amazing video capturing all the unforgettable moments we shared.
Video by Daniel Wenderoth
Copenhagen Compass
What a hell of a trip, from the first moment we looked out of the bus window and saw the Ikea, to the last moment we enjoyed our last meal from that special place.
I cannot say more than what a week full of new memories, changed impressions of people by spending every moment with them, and lifelong memories. The city of Copenhagen itself made an impression on most of us, with its architecture, the bakeries and its 'hot people', as the participants eloquently put it. Although there were some complications, many strangers were willing to share their opinions and experiences, which saved us in the end. Not only the staff at the hostel helped us along the way, the visitors in the evening, the locals at the bakeries and the workers in the cinema as well.
From the first-time people sang and danced their hearts out when the bus broke down in the middle of the night, to the early moments when people screamed along to Taylor Swift. The club nights playing classic hits and everyone dancing like it was the last night. Rounding off the night by rewinding in a jazz café, sadly missing the live bands playing instruments. As you can see, dancing and music came back again and again, as did playing cards and riding those 25km/h bikes. Even with bikes that fast, people managed to be late every time. Surprisingly, the voice is still there, and meeting an hour before seemed perfect.
During the City Tour, when exploring the Assistense Cemetery, Rosenborg Slot, and crossing the stunning bridge Dronning Louises bro, groups raced against each other while achieving challenges. Where participants ate hotdogs from street vendors, made an elaborative sculpture using Danish bakeries, or took the most creative photos with the scentic lakes in the background. Almost all groups found their Hans Christian Anderson lookalike. One group even stood in line for an hour to buy a Viking helmet and raced on bikes to Mermaid Statue to accomplish the challenges; Take a picture at the Little Mermaid Statue wearing a Viking Helmet’, ‘Propose to someone at the Little Mermaid Statue’.
As we are media students, outfits have become an important element of our personal expression. On the Halloween Night, the 31st of October, people went all out. While going to the meatpacking district, and racing against each other during the pub golf, we could not pass on the elaborate scary outfits. The difference between the times were immaculate, some participants were able to finish their drinks within 5 seconds, while it took for others on the other hand almost a minute. We rounded the night of by a private DJ show by Alex and Royi, the night was young for some.
A lot of emotions were seen during one specific moment on the Friday afternoon, where most people silently shed a tear. This happened while watching the film, We Live in Time, by John Crowley, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. The sweet owner gave us a tour of the cinema, including a speech. Then walking outside and seeing all middle-aged woman holding little children, gave some participants an existential midlife crisis, and severe baby fever. As many said, Copenhagen is the place to settle once you’re in your thirties.
After the last night out going to a techno location, a small group raced to the right metro, which would depart any second. Two ran down the escalators the right way. The other three against the traffic, which was completely empty hence the time of hour. They ran all the way down, and heard a board member scream, ‘Up here!’. They ran all the way up, three floors, even more confused than before. ‘No! Down here!’, they ran all the way down again, subway of course already left. One by one they scrambled to the right floor, after running up and down those three floors multiple times. The only thing they could do is fall on the floor and finally receiving some air after being completely out of breath.