Top 200 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2023: #49. Viggo Mortensen’s The Dead Don’t Hurt

The Dead Don’t Hurt

An actor who needs no introduction appears to have the directing bug as prior to moving into production on his sophomore feature (this October) on The Dead Don’t Hurt, he arrived a bit everywhere on the festival circuit with his debut film: 2020’s Falling. Viggo Mortensen moves in front and behind the camera here on a Western that dates back to the 1860’s. Vicky Krieps shares top billing. Filming took place in Durango, Mexico, Ontario, British Columbia.

Gist: The fiercely independent French Canadian Vivienne Le Coudy (Krieps) embarks on a relationship with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (Mortensen). After meeting Olsen in San Francisco, Vivienne agrees to travel with him to his home near the quiet town of Elk Flats, where they start a life together. However, the Civil War separates them, leaving Vivienne to fend for herself in a place controlled by powerful rancher Alfred Jeffries (Garret Dillahunt) and his violent, wayward son Weston Jeffries (Solly McLeod), aided and abetted by corrupt Mayor Rudolph Schiller (Danny Huston). Olsen’s eventual return challenges their relationship as they have to confront and make peace with the person each has become.

Release Date/Prediction: We see this heading to Venice and Toronto.