Submarino (2010) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Nick's attempt to care for Martin is strained by instability, criminal choices, and the threat of imprisonment.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Home in Disarray

The story opens amid a chaotic home and an improvised baby-naming ceremony. Nick's exhaustion and Sofie's efforts to help establish the surrounding disorder.

Key Events

• Chaotic Baby-Naming Ceremony — Two brothers choose a baby's name at an improvised ceremony amid drinking, smoking, and arguments. Characters: Nick, Sofie Location: Chaotic home
• Sofie Tries to Help Nick — Sofie tries to wake an exhausted Nick and offers him coffee and food. Characters: Nick, Sofie Location: Home
• Nick Cares for Martin — Nick becomes responsible for Martin while struggling to manage his own life. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Home

A Child at Risk

Nick takes responsibility for Martin, whose mother's death continues to affect him. A caseworker warns Nick that Martin may be taken away if Nick cannot demonstrate that he can provide care.

Key Events

• Martin's Loss Shapes His Behavior — Martin is tired and aggressive, affected by his mother's death in a car accident two years earlier. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Unspecified
• Caseworker Warns Nick — A municipal caseworker warns that Martin may be taken away unless Nick proves he can care for him. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Unspecified
• Nick Denies Drug Use — Nick denies using drugs again and insists Martin is the only thing he cares about. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Unspecified

Dangerous Ways to Cope

Ivan confesses to attacking a woman, while Nick turns to drug dealing for money. Martin is left waiting nearby as Nick navigates the risks of the trade.

Key Events

• Ivan Confesses an Attack — Ivan tells Nick that he attacked a woman who screamed and then fled. Characters: Nick, Ivan Location: Unspecified
• Nick Starts Selling Drugs — Nick becomes involved in drug dealing to earn money while Martin waits nearby. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Drug transaction area
• A Restricted Selling Area — Nick is warned to sell only in a particular area as Martin struggles to sleep nearby. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Drug transaction area

Tenderness and Promises

Nick and Martin share games and affectionate moments at an amusement park. Their conversation about Martin's mother and Nick's promises offers closeness without resolving their precarious circumstances.

Key Events

• Father and Son at the Amusement Park — Nick and Martin play games and draw symbols to help recognize each other. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Amusement park
• Promises About Growing Up — Nick promises to teach Martin to ride a bicycle and accompany him to school; Martin talks about fearing adulthood and dreaming of his mother. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Unspecified

Arrest and Uncertain Future

Nick is warned that Carsten and others are coming, but he is eventually arrested. In custody, he learns of the strangling accusation, and the closing conversation returns to Martin and their uncertain future.

Key Events

• Warning to Run — Nick is warned that Carsten and others are coming and told to get rid of what he is carrying. Characters: Nick, Carsten Location: Unspecified
• Nick Is Arrested — Nick is eventually arrested after the warning to flee. Characters: Nick Location: Unspecified
• Murder Accusation in Custody — A lawyer tells Nick he is accused of strangling a woman and that his injured hand will be examined. Characters: Nick Location: Custody
• The Conversation Returns to Martin — The final conversation returns to Martin, leaving Nick's legal future and the child's fate uncertain. Characters: Nick, Martin's Father Location: Custody

Story Breakdown

• Chaotic Home — The opening presents disorder around Nick and hints at his difficulty managing everyday life.
  • Improvised Naming — Two brothers choose a baby's name randomly during a chaotic ceremony.
  • Sofie's Concern — Sofie tries to wake Nick and offers him coffee and food.
• Nick Cares for Martin — Nick takes responsibility for Martin while struggling with his own instability.
  • A Child's Grief — Martin's behavior is affected by his mother's death in a car accident.
  • Custody Warning — A municipal caseworker warns that Martin may be taken away if Nick cannot prove he can care for him.
• Criminal Pressures — Violence and drug dealing deepen the danger surrounding Nick's efforts to cope.
  • Ivan's Confession — Ivan tells Nick that he attacked a woman who screamed and then fled.
  • Drug Transaction — Nick deals drugs to earn money while Martin waits nearby.
• Tender Moments — Nick and Martin find moments of affection despite their difficult circumstances.
  • Amusement Park — They play games and draw symbols to recognize each other.
  • Promises to Martin — Nick promises to teach Martin to ride a bicycle and accompany him to school.
• Threat of Arrest — A warning about Carsten and others turns Nick's criminal situation into an immediate crisis.
  • Warning to Run — Nick is told to flee and get rid of what he is carrying.
  • Nick Is Arrested — Despite the warning, Nick is eventually arrested.
• Uncertain Future — The ending leaves Nick's legal situation and Martin's fate unresolved.
  • Strangling Accusation — In custody, Nick's lawyer says he is accused of strangling a woman.
  • Final Focus on Martin — The closing conversation returns to Nick's relationship with Martin.

Directed by

Thomas Vinterberg

Key Cast

• Jakob Cedergren — Nick
• Peter Plaugborg — Martin's Father
• Gustav Fischer Kjærulff — Martin
• Morten Rose — Ivan
• Henrik Strube — Jimmy Gule