Hammarskjöld: Fight for Peace
Hammarskjöld: Fight for Peace
Set in Cold War in 1961, follows the story of diplomat and economist Dag Hammarskjöld, who boards a plane in a desperate attempt to negotiate a ceasefire from his enemies after he leads UN troops into their first wartime operation.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 1, 2025
This follows U.N. Secretary general Dag Hammarskjöld during the Cold War as he champions the end of colonialism in the Congo. Facing votes of no confidence for his stance on the Congo, but devoted to maintaining peace in the region leaves him with little room to maneuver. He’s working with a literal monkey on his back. Allegedly queer, and often targeted with smear campaigns purporting as much, the film portrays Dag as a selfless public servant without space to pursue his own desires for love and happiness. I enjoyed the film quite a bit even if I came away with the distinct feeling that there were quite a few liberties taken with the story. (and that was my impression before I knew this was “speculative biopic.”) I really liked Mikael Persbrandt’s performance and his portrayal of Dag’s inner life, particularly some moments of deep sadness that were effectively moving.