The story of Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard
Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard isn't your typical making-of documentary. Released in 2023, this 40-minute film offers a rare glimpse into the production design and costume creation for the Ehrengard film adaptation. What makes it unusual isn't just the subject matter—it's who's narrating. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, stepping into an unexpected curatorial role, walks viewers through the meticulous decisions that shaped the film's visual world. Rather than focusing on typical behind-the-scenes drama or star interviews, the documentary zeroes in on the artisanal work: the fabrics chosen, the set dressing, the historical research that informed every detail. It's a film about craft, about the invisible labor that makes cinema feel real.
Behind the making of Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard
The documentary was directed by Henrik Lundø and Mads Hoppe Jørgensen, two Danish filmmakers who understood they were working with unusual talent. Bille August, one of Denmark's most respected directors, helmed the original Ehrengard adaptation, and his presence anchors the piece—you can see his passion for period authenticity in every frame. The cast list reads like a who's who of Nordic cinema: Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Emilie Kroyer Koppel, and others bring the literary adaptation to life, though this documentary focuses less on their performances and more on the world built around them. What's striking is that Queen Margrethe II doesn't simply appear as a figurehead. She's engaged, knowledgeable, asking the kinds of questions someone deeply invested in visual storytelling would ask. The production itself was a Danish affair, reflecting the country's strong tradition of thoughtful, design-forward filmmaking. While box office figures for this documentary haven't been widely publicized—it's a Netflix exclusive, after all—its very existence speaks to how streaming platforms are investing in niche, culturally specific content that might never have found theatrical distribution.
What makes Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard stand out
Honestly, what's most surprising about this documentary is how it refuses to be a puff piece. You'd expect a film featuring royalty to devolve into hagiography, but instead, there's real critical eye at work here. The filmmakers aren't afraid to show the tension between historical accuracy and dramatic necessity—the conversations about whether a costume choice serves the story or merely serves the period. Sidse Babett Knudsen's involvement in the broader Ehrengard project gives the documentary credibility; she's an actress known for demanding intelligent roles, which suggests the adaptation itself took its source material seriously. What I keep coming back to is the film's willingness to spend time on things that don't photograph well: the research, the failed experiments, the color swatches rejected and reconsidered. That's not exciting television by conventional standards, but it's honest. The documentary currently holds a 4.4/10 rating on IMDb—a score that might seem damning until you realize that many documentaries about production design appeal to a narrow audience, and general audiences often rate specialized content lower when they stumble upon it expecting something else entirely. For those interested in how period films are constructed, how historical detail translates into visual language, the film offers genuine insight.
Where to stream Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard online
Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard is available exclusively on Netflix, making it easy to access if you're already subscribed to the platform. At just 40 minutes, it's the kind of documentary you can watch in a single sitting—ideal for a lunch break or a quiet evening. If you're planning to watch both this behind-the-scenes film and the Ehrengard adaptation itself, Netflix has you covered with both. Movie OTT tracks current streaming availability across platforms, so you can verify what's live in your region before clicking play. Since this is a Netflix original, availability should remain consistent, though regional licensing can sometimes affect access in certain countries.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard?
The documentary was directed by Henrik Lundø and Mads Hoppe Jørgensen, two Danish filmmakers who collaborated to create this behind-the-scenes look at the Ehrengard film adaptation.
Q: Is Queen Margrethe II the main focus of Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard?
While Queen Margrethe II narrates and appears throughout the film, the documentary's real focus is on the production design, costume work, and creative decisions made during the Ehrengard adaptation. She serves as a knowledgeable guide rather than the subject.
Q: Where can I watch Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard?
The documentary is available exclusively on Netflix. You'll need an active Netflix subscription to stream it.
Q: How long is Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard?
The documentary runs 40 minutes, making it a quick but substantive look at the film's production.
Q: Is Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard based on a true story?
No, it's a documentary about the making of a fictional film adaptation. The original Ehrengard is a literary work adapted for screen, and this documentary explores how that adaptation was brought to visual life.
Final thoughts on Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard
This isn't a documentary for everyone—and that's fine. It's a film for people who care about how things are made, who find beauty in the decisions that go unseen by most viewers. If you've ever wondered how production designers choose colors, how costume departments research historical accuracy, or how a director collaborates with craftspeople to build a world, you'll find something here worth your time. Even if the IMDb score suggests otherwise, don't let that deter you. Sometimes the most valuable documentaries are the ones that speak to a specific audience rather than chasing broad appeal. On Movie OTT, you'll find it listed among Netflix's documentary offerings—a hidden gem for the cinematically curious.
