The Green Butchers 2004

As the scent of sizzling meat wafts through the air, Svend (character name) and his fiancée Tina are engaged in a lively discussion about the nuances of barbecue. The interruption comes in the form of Bjarne’s arrival, accompanied by Beate, one of Tina’s coworkers, whose flirtatious advances are met with a firm rebuff from Bjarne. This initial encounter sets the tone for a series of events that will test the mettle of Svend and his business partner.

The following day, as Holger regales a customer with a tale of sausages, Svend grows frustrated with their current butcher shop’s limitations. His complaints are met with disdain from Holger, who takes pleasure in belittling Svend’s marinade skills. This verbal sparring match serves as a catalyst for Svend to explore the possibility of opening his own shop.

A chance meeting with “House Hans,” a realtor with a penchant for closed butcher shops, sets Svend on the path to realizing his dream. Meanwhile, Bjarne finds himself at the sanatorium, where he is forced to confront the harsh reality of his brain-dead brother Eigil’s condition. A somber visit to the cemetery, where Bjarne pays respects to his deceased loved ones, provides a poignant counterpoint to the lighthearted atmosphere of Svend’s shop.

As the opening day approaches, Svend and Bjarne are consumed by preparations for their new venture. The arrival of an electrician on the scene sparks a discussion about the importance of securing reliable lighting in the meat freezer. Business cards and marketing strategies also take center stage as the duo works tirelessly to promote their new shop.

However, things quickly take a turn for the unexpected when opening day arrives, and Svend’s hasty decision to lock an electrician in the meat freezer has unintended consequences. The morning after, Holger makes a deliberate attempt to sabotage Svend by placing an order for a dinner party, only to be outdone by Svend’s clever revelation that he had prepared the electrician’s leg and sold it to Holger himself.

The tide of fortune shifts dramatically when Bjarne arrives at the shop to find a line of patrons stretching outside the door. “Svend’s chicky-wickies,” as he so affectionately dubs the human flesh marinated in his special sauce, have become the talk of the town. Despite initial reservations about selling the rest of the body, Bjarne ultimately succumbs to pressure from the demanding crowd.

The arrival of Hans, a jobless individual who has just experienced a personal loss, adds an element of tension to the mix as Svend locks him in the freezer. A television news crew’s report on the new butcher shop only serves to further fuel the frenzy surrounding “Svend’s chicky-wickies.” Meanwhile, at the sanatorium, the doctors’ decision to turn off Eigil’s life support machines sparks a unexpected awakening.

As events unfold, Svend and Bjarne find themselves navigating a complex web of morality, business, and personal relationships. The consequences of their actions will be far-reaching, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion that will leave viewers questioning the true cost of success.

As Eigil’s persistent visits to the butcher shop become increasingly unwelcome, Svend resorts to desperate measures, orchestrating a series of events that ultimately backfire. His decision to hide from Eigil and enlist Svend’s aid in sending him packing sets the tone for a chain reaction of consequences that will leave no one unscathed. Meanwhile, Svend’s newfound romance with Beate seems to momentarily distract him from his malevolent machinations, but not before he takes drastic measures to silence Tina’s pleas to win back her affections.

In a bizarre twist, Reverend Villumsen’s peculiar confession about the chicky-wickies’ uncanny resemblance to his wife’s flavor profile serves as a catalyst for Bjarne’s growing unease with Eigil’s continued presence at the shop. Seeking guidance from Nurse Juhl, he is advised to seek professional help, which ultimately leads him to unwittingly reveal his concerns to Svend. The butcher’s sinister response - to dispose of the rotten chicken meat and warn Bjarne about the nurse’s supposed “victimhood” - serves only to heighten the sense of foreboding that pervades the narrative.

As Astrid finds herself drawn to Eigil’s quiet nature, she begins to uncover the dark secrets that have been hiding in plain sight. Her chance encounter with him at the cemetery, where they bond over their shared affinity for the humble chicken, sets the stage for a series of events that will bring the entire community into the spotlight.

The plot thickens as Reverend Villumsen and Holger summon Astrid to the reverend’s office, where they reveal their suspicions about the butchers’ true nature. The revelation sparks a chain reaction of revelations, ultimately leading Astrid to take Eigil on a fateful trip to the butcher shop, armed with a cargo hold full of dead chickens.

Bjarne’s growing unease reaches a boiling point when he discovers that Svend has locked away Astrid and Eigil in the freezer. His attempts to intervene only serve to further escalate the situation, ultimately leading to the shuttering of the shop by health authorities. Svend’s hasty retreat serves as a precursor to his eventual confession - or lack thereof - which raises more questions than it answers.

In the end, Bjarne’s astute observation about the popularity of the chicky-wickies lies not in their dubious ingredients but rather in the marinade that has captured the hearts and taste buds of the community. As the curtain closes on this dark and twisted tale, one can’t help but wonder what other secrets lie hidden beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic town.