Christiania (2026)

In 1971, young people occupied abandoned barracks on Bådsmandsstræde, and Christiania was born – an experiment in freedom and community. Filmmaker Karl Friis Forchhammer tells the story from within, with warmth and humor. It’s a story of radical democracy and creativity, but also of conflict, drugs, and outside pressure. From idealism and eccentric characters to struggles over Pusher Street and the limits of community.

A vivid piece of Danish cultural history about a place still fighting to remain entirely its own.

The film is screened with English subtitles.

Runtime: 93 min

Christiania is screened in partnership with CPH:DOX.

After the screening, you can meet the film’s director, Karl Forchhammer, for a conversation about dreams and utopias, about Christiania and the Roskilde Festival, and about how the world around them affects these utopian visions as reality changes.

Roskilde Festival’s cinema is returning in 2026 after 13 years. During First Days, you can experience both new feature films, documentaries, and special late-night screenings. The Cinema programme is curated by Roskilde Festival and Roskilde Festival Højskole and created in collaboration with CPH:DOX, the European Parliament, The Why Foundation, RoskildeBio.nu, and the Danish National Film School.  Cinema is supported by OpEN – the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Information and Engagement Fund. 

Cinema is supported by OpEN – the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Information and Engagement Fund.