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Film short abstract:

This is a story about an easy-to-ignore old man from rural Iowa, USA, who is a culture hero. It explores themes of community arts as emotional and social cohesion, the paradox between cultural specificity and universality of psychology, and heterodoxy required for a living music and dance tradition.

Film long abstract:

Dwight Lamb has been an important and influential old time fiddler in the American Midwest for decades, but due to a chance encounter with Danish champion fiddler Kristian Bugge and accordionist Mette Kathrine Jensen Staerk, he is now also important and influential in Denmark. Dwight had learned Danish tunes as a child from his immigrant grandfather. “Dwight in Denmark” tells this story and follows a tour that he, Kristian and Mette made after they began collaborating musically. Their work together has led to the rediscovery in Denmark of many traditional tunes that had become extinct there. The story is about music, dance, friendship, community, history, and the power of memory.

This story rewrites conventional notions of folk culture as being a stagnant museum orthodoxy. It illustrates the dynamism of a standing tradition being constantly refreshed by outside influences to encourage a living and growing culture, and catalyzing emotional and social health among participants.

Featuring stellar musicians Dwight Lamb, Kristian Bugge, Mette Kathrine Jensen Stærk, Tove de Fries, Harald Haugaard, Tricia Spencer, Howard Rains, Morten Alfred Høirup, Bill Peterson, and many others. Narrated by Phil Nussbaum. Advisors: James Leary, PhD, and Jens Lund, PhD.

Supported by the American Scandinavian Foundation, the Museum of Danish America, and many individual contributors to the Dwight in Denmark Documentary Project.

Preview audience reactions:

“Wow, this is a beautiful film!” “Rich and beautifully rendered.” “A heartfelt wonderful story that crosses boundaries, oceans, cultures, and generations.” “Truly stunning. It feels personal, like listening to a conversation.”