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BASED ON A TRUE STORY
All right! Keep focus!
Ladies and gentlemen, soon they'll tour the world with their spectacular show.
Please welcome the 2012 National Danish Gymnastics Team.
DANIEL
Hi, Daniel! We miss you! We're about to get on the plane!
It's weird being here without you! Best wishes.
Just move to Copenhagen with me.
Why wouldn't you?
You don't even have space for your couch in that apartment.
Oh, come on. That's a terrible reason. Of course there's space.
You'd go crazy having me and my stupid leg around all the time.
- Plus, you'll be studying all day. - You'd find something to do too.
Such as? I have no qualifications.
It's so frustrating. I trained for six years, and it was all for nothing.
HEDEGAARD, DENMARK That was out! That one was out.
- It was not, Grandpa. - You're cheating.
Daniel, will you be the referee?
Sure. It was totally out.
- What? - Yes!
- Maybe he'll go back to school. - He wants to be a photographer.
- It's something he's always wanted. - It won't earn him a living, Mom.
Why are you always so mad at Daniel?
I'm not mad at anyone. But you're not doing him any favors by coddling him.
He's 23, isn't he? Does he even pay you rent?
Yes, he pays 80,000 kroner a month plus utilities, Anita.
- I paid to live here when I turned 18. - Daniel doesn't get student grants.
That's right. You don't get that when you do cartwheels instead of studying.
Shut up. You're so annoying.
- Would you set the table? - Nope.
Great!
- Did you look into photography schools? - No. It doesn't pay to go to school.
You're too good already?
No, but an apprenticeship would be better.
- More ham, anyone? - Yes, please.
- You'll have to watch your diet now. - As if you've ever done that.
- Don't be cheeky. I'm just saying. - Thanks, Dad. That's great advice.
I'm here for you any time.
How many photographers did you call?
- Just get off my ass, Anita. - Don't talk to me like that.
So stop. You know there are no photographers around here.
- "Get off my ass..." - Stop! We don't talk like that.
- Stop. - I won't have it.
What about going to Aarhus? Or is that too far for His Majesty?
- Cut it out, Anita. - Mom does everything for you two.
And now she'll be waiting on him hand and foot for another year.
Oh, shut up. How about trying your luck on farmerdating.com?
- Hilarious. - Or find a plumber to clean your pipes?
You're hilarious.
If you really want to know, I plan on moving to Copenhagen with Signe.
- To Copenhagen? - Yeah.
Take care.
Can you grab this one too?
And this one. Here you go. I'll get this one.
When you're done studying, we'll find work, get married and have kids.
We'll find a bigger place and buy a new car every four years like your parents.
We'll go on vacations and do our thing until we retire and die.
Well, it sure sucks when you say it like that.
- But that's how it is. - Of course it is.
And that's totally sad.
Hello?
- How did you get in? - The door was open.
I'm Daniel Rye. I'm interviewing for the job as photo assistant.
It's just that we had an appointment and all the other places I went...
Show me your portfolio.
Yeah.
Your portraits are boring as hell, but your street photographs have something.
Right. Well, I do actually prefer...
- Do you have a passport? - Yeah.
- Sorry? - It's unnatural, a flying pile of iron.
Right.
Are you all right?
Yeah. They're so young, just boys.
In terms of war they're veterans. We've only paid half up front -
- so if we don't survive, at least we'll save some money.
- Where do you want this? - Wherever. Go shoot some pictures.
This is what I want to do my whole life, Signe.
- I'm more certain than I've ever been. - Okay.
How drunk are you?
I'm not. Well, maybe I'm moderately intoxicated, but I know this is it.
- Sleep it off and come back home. - Right. Love you.
It's important to show people what's going on there.
- Syria? - Yes.
I'll document how civilians live amid the conflict.
Everyday lives that keep going despite the war.
- It's dangerous. - I'm not going to Aleppo.
I'll go to a small town near the border. It's far away from the fighting.
- What does your boss say? - He's letting me take time off.
This is my idea.
I won't stay in the same place too long and I'll go back to Turkey every night.
That's where I'll sleep. Like the reporters I've talked to.
I just need a little extra money for the flight and the hotel.
- So maybe you could buy the Taunus? - You're selling your car?
It's just collecting parking tickets in Copenhagen.
- How will you come to visit us? - Mom.
Daniel, I don't know. What do you think, Kjeld?
Well... What did you expect to get for it?
Well, 20,000... or 18,000?
It's not even worth 10,000. The undercarriage is rusty.
Just buy the damn car. How about 15,000?
14,000. Come on, Dad.
I'll give you 12,000 kroner if you fill up the tank.
- I'll pay for the gas. - Jeez...
- Deal. - What a haggler.
BAB AL-SALAMEH, SYRIA
Hello.
Do you mind if we take some pictures?
- What are you doing here? - He's a photographer.
You have no authorization. We are in charge here. Hand over your weapon.
- Open the bus. - We have a permit.
Who gave you a permit? We are in charge here.
- Get on the bus! - But we've got a permit.
Get the hell out of here.
Get on the bus. Come with me. Let's go!
- Mohamad, go get Ayman. - Get in! Get in!
How dare you bring a foreign photographer here without permission?
- We have a permit from the Free Army. - They have no authority anymore.
I'll take you to the people who issue permits.
Get out. In there. Hurry up.
- We need a photo permit. - He can't take his camera inside.
Give me the camera.
Give me the camera. Now! Open the door. Move it!
Hurry up!
Get in here. Sit down. You too.
- Papers, passports. - Here.
You bring a foreigner without permission?
- I have permission from the Free Army. - They have no authority here.
Don't argue with me. You made a mistake.
I'm a friend of Aya's. We got the permit from the Free Army.
- This man is a war photographer. - We believe you, but we must be careful.
They place tracking devices in people's cars so the warplanes can bomb us.
- All Westerners are dogs. - He's a Danish photographer.
- Ayman! - Don't move.
Get up.
- Where are you taking him? - That's none of your business.
Let's go.
This way. Keep walking.
- Stay out of this. - Don't look back!
- Don't look. - He's a spy.
ALEPPO, SYRIA
- Let's go. - Get up.
Daniel the donkey! Donkey!
- What is it? - He wasn't on the plane.
- You're sure? - It landed long ago. He wasn't there.
I'll talk to Kjeld and call you back.
We should report it, right? He's left a bunch of papers in case of emergency.
There's also a number for a security expert called Arthur.
Right, text me his number. I'll call him, Signe.
We'll talk later. Bye.
SYRIA, NEAR THE TURKISH BORDER
- Peace be with you, Ahmed. - And with you.
Where's Kadir?
He was meeting a man in Aleppo who had information about James Foley.
We stopped at a checkpoint. Suddenly they opened fire. I'm sorry.
I'm truly sorry. But he knew it was dangerous.
And James Foley?
Nothing. The last transport to Aleppo was Monday, but no one saw James.
But they saw two Italian journalists.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Please give this to Kadir's family.
For the funeral expenses.
You are an honorable man, Arthur. Thank you.
- Hello? - Hello, my name is Susanne Rye.
- Yes? - I'm Daniel Rye's mother.
- When did you last hear from him? - Five days ago.
But the phone service might be down, and we hoped he'd be on the flight.
Okay. You can't tell anyone about this.
- How many people know he's gone? - My husband, Kjeld, who is here now.
- And me and his girlfriend, Signe. - Okay. Let's keep it that way.
- It needs to stay secret. - We won't tell anyone.
- I'll call you. - We have to go too.
- Weren't you going out? - Dad had a headache.
Yeah, it's still very bad.
- Didn't you have a party? - I'm just getting changed.
- Are you here for dinner? - I said I'm leaving.
- Right. - That's what you said.
Weirdos.
I'll inform Danish Intelligence and the Foreign Ministry -
- but don't expect any help.
- Why not? - Daniel has probably been kidnapped.
Denmark has a rock-solid policy against negotiating with terrorists.
They'll be able to advise you, unofficially.
But they won't get involved.
- What can we do to get him out quickly? - We need to find out who has him.
I have people in Syria already, looking for an American journalist, James Foley.
Our experience in Syria is that any publicity can hurt the hostages.
- Why? - They want to look like holy warriors.
Not just common criminals.
You'll need to keep all channels of communication open -
- phone, mail and social media, just in case they contact you.
If it happens, I'll take over.
Jamal!
Come here!
Wash up. Here is the soap.
Get some food and clothes, boys.
Thank you, brothers. God will reward you. You've done the right thing.
I'll go study at Pernille's. I'm also eating at her place.
- Okay, Christina. - I'll walk you out.
Chrissy? What's wrong with them? They're acting strange.
- No more than usual, are they? - I think so. Did something happen?
Nothing ever happens here. You've just forgotten how lame this place is.
- See you. - Right. Bye-bye.
- Can you put the crossword away? - It's not a crossword, it's a sudoku.
Oh.
Why are you looking at your phone all the time?
- What's going on? - Nothing. We're relaxing. It's Sunday.
Mom?
Mom, is Dad sick? Is it cancer?
Dad? No, nobody's sick.
- Are you getting a divorce? - Of course not.
It's Daniel.
He never came back from Syria.
- He's in Copenhagen. - No, Anita.
He's disappeared.
We don't know where he is.
What are you talking about? I talked to Signe last...
We're all lying! We can't say anything. We think he's alive, but we don't...
Are you insane? How could you not tell me?
- What about Christina? - We can't tell anyone.
- Who told you that? - We hired someone.
- The police can't help. - Who?
He's ex-military.
His name is Arthur. A specialist in hostage situations.
KILIS, TURKEY, NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER
How are you, Aya?
I want you to know that I had nothing to do with this.
What can you tell us?
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for Daniel.
I thought it was safe. They said they're Mujahedin. I haven't seen them before.
They must have taken over the area from the Free Army. They tortured my friend.
They almost killed me too. I barely made it back over the border.
Who were they?
I only heard them mention one name.
Abu Suheib?
You have to help me out of Kilis. I can't go back to Syria.
- I'm no longer safe. - I'll help you.
Thank you.
RAQQA, SYRIA
This Dane is in bad condition. He might have typhoid.
Get the water hose.
Don't let him drink.
He'll just shit himself again.
SYRIA, NEAR THE TURKISH BORDER
Peace be with you.
It's okay, Omar.
- Peace be with you. - And with you.
This is the new iPhone.
But the numbers on the screen are so small.
It's made for a woman's hand, not a man's.
Thank you for taking the time to see me, Abu Suheib.
- It is very generous of you. - How can I help you?
Daniel Rye. I want to bring him back home.
No way. He confessed that he's CIA. He will be executed.
Daniel is just a young man who didn't know what he got himself into.
How much will they pay for him?
His parents are common people.
So let the government pay for him.
Ten notebooks and an ambulance. That's my price.
I'm sure you are aware of the Danish government's policy.
Then you're wasting my time.
I should kill you both.
Seven notebooks. That's my final offer.
I also need information about the American journalist, James Foley.
Impossible. I can't help you with that. Goodbye.
Thank you.
What are they demanding?
700,000 dollars.
700,000 dollars? But that's... Well, the rate is...
About 4,300,000 kroner.
That's more than the insurance.
It's your decision, Kjeld, but on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
- I would advise against making any rash decisions.
Can we trust Abu Suheib?
Abu Suheib is a busy man. He likely considers Daniel small fry.
That's our chance.
Before you decide, I must tell you that ransoms are often up for negotiation.
No, this figure can't be negotiated. I know that's hard to accept -
- but we have a unique opportunity. We can't miss it.
I'll press Abu Suheib for a proof of life.
Is there something only Daniel knows, or does he have a scar or birthmark?
Food is ready.
Thanks.
Here is our first proof of life picture.
I've brought Hanne here today. She's our crisis psychologist.
He's so thin.
As you can see, his skin is relatively clean.
He seems able to focus. That's very positive.
It means he's getting reasonable amounts of water.
The bank has agreed to lend us 900,000 kroner against the house.
Susanne and I will cash out our pensions.
About 1,000,000 kroner of which we'll pay 60% in taxes.
Anita will pay whatever she can.
I've talked to the insurance company several times.
Unfortunately, the rest of the insurance sum is earmarked for expenses.
At the current rate, we may scrape together about 250,000 dollars.
About a third of what they're asking.
Can't we offer them that? 250,000 dollars is a lot of money.
I know how this must feel, Susanne, but offering less than the ransom -
- will be seen as an insult.
- What do you think? - It's your decision, Kjeld.
It is, but the normal procedure would be to negotiate.
There's no normal procedure with this.
The situation in Syria is unstable.
New groups are emerging all the time. Some cooperate.
And they're aiming to create an Islamic state.
They're driven by an unprecedented hate, and they'll stop at nothing.
I would strongly advise you to wait until you have the money.
Can't the government lend us money, unofficially?
I'm afraid that's not possible.
This is absurd!
If he'd been caught with cocaine in Bangkok -
- you'd do anything to get him home -
- but when it's an innocent young man -
- you're suddenly fucking useless!
- I'm sorry. We can't change policy. - Okay.
I think we should offer them the 250,000. It's better than nothing.
We can't let him stay there. He's all skin and bones.
I agree. We have no choice.
Signe, are you leaving?
- Aren't we done? - How about coffee?
- Are you all right? - I'm just busy, and I don't sleep much.
Won't you talk to the psychologist Arthur got you?
I do, but it doesn't help.
We only talk about me, about letting it all out and moving on, but I can't.
Everything takes time! I don't have time! I have exams constantly!
I'm sorry.
Come help me!
- Goodness me. Is this all for you? - Yes.
- I'm sorry, I have to take this. - But we're busy.
- I'm with a customer. - We got an email.
They're very mad. Now they want 2,000,000 euro.
Unless I've misunderstood something. That's 15,000,000 kroner.
- Do they say how he is? - No.
"Time is running out for Daniel. He is unlikely to survive."
"Confirm payment of 2,000,000 euro."
"Our conditions are as follows:"
"No media coverage. And the ransom must be in cash."
We can raise the money! Someone will lend it to us.
We don't know anybody who have that much money.
How do you propose to raise the money, Anita?
We could have a fundraiser.
You can't say what the money is for -
- and a fundraising campaign would be in a legal grey area at best.
Denmark doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
I don't give a damn what Denmark does.
This is my brother!
Lots of people have money and want to help.
The gymnastics club is like his family. They would never tell the press.
We can't just give up on him.
If it gets out, his chance of survival worsens. Secrets are hard to keep.
But you know his chances are very slim if we don't get the money.
Yes.
The great James Foley.
Let's give them a warm welcome.
Our goal is to raise 15,000,000 kroner.
But no matter how much we get, we're more likely to bring Daniel home.
Everything is done anonymously through our lawyer. We only see the transfers.
Since clubs and schools can't legally provide money for a ransom -
- we'll sell Daniel's photographs of the Danish Gymnastics Team.
That is legal.
The letter in front of you will be sent on Monday to all members of the club.
Any questions?
I think your intentions are good, but did you ever consider the ethics -
- of us financially supporting a terrorist group?
We know the fundraising is a legal grey area, but according to our lawyer -
- we may consider it saving a human life, which is legal.
But... of course it's up to you whether you want to help.
We do understand if some of you don't want to -
- due to moral or other reasons.
But we still hope that you want to help us.
He's here at the mercy of Abu Suheib to get a proof of life of the Dane.
We've searched him. He's clean.
We now have 742,213 kroner.
- My goodness. - Someone wants to tell Herning Rotary.
- It's pronounced "Rotary". - Whatever.
- Is it someone we know? - His name is Peter Damgaard.
- Is it too risky? - With the Rotary's 100 members...
- Then let him do it. - Okay.
It's Arthur.
- Hello, Susanne. How are you doing? - Fine.
I'm sending you a video. But they don't let him say much.
There. Are you ready?
Do you want to watch it again?
- Hi, Signe. - Hi, Anita.
I know it's kind of creepy to sit here and wait, but I've missed you.
We've collected more than 3,000,000 kroner -
- and I'm in touch with 20 businesses -
- who might donate, but it takes time for the boards to clear it.
I get that you're tired of this, Signe. Nobody's expecting anything from you.
I just think the worst thing you can do is to be all alone.
He's not coming home, Anita.
- Excuse me? - He'll die. We won't see him again.
That's nonsense.
Did your psychologist tell you that?
That you need to believe he's dead to move on?
Don't listen, Signe. It's absurd.
- You can't lie to yourself. - I'm too weak. I'm not like you.
I think about what they do to him, and I can't help him.
- I know. - I hate that I'm so powerless.
Signe, he'll come home.
Until then, you've got us.
You can't give up on someone you love so much. It's impossible.
He'll come home.
KILIS, TURKEY, NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER
A journalist discovered the story about the fundraiser for Rye.
They haven't run it yet, but they won't let someone else break it.
- Others are bound to find out. - I'll talk to the media.
This isn't Turkey, Arthur. We still have freedom of the press.
I'll be on my knees begging for a media blackout. Talk to you later.
We're never going to get out of this hell.
Come on. It's okay. Calm down. Soon we'll go back to France.
Think about something else.
I know.
Everything will be okay.
ANTWERP, BELGIUM
Okay. Sign here.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ayoub, for seeing me.
Your French is terrible.
Who are you? Are you from the CIA?
No. The family hired me...
I appreciate the effort, but I'd prefer it if you spoke English.
You don't even know if he's alive.
You're wasting your time. Foley will die in Syria.
They'll never let him go.
Daesh, of course... Or ISIS, as you call them.
If they start selling off the Americans, the true enemies of the Caliphate -
- everyone would see through their scam. Foley is doomed.
Names won't help you. People come and go.
I would give them to you if I had them.
I owe them nothing.
They put a fucking bag over my head and beat me for weeks to test my faith.
They taught us to stab and slaughter people.
They had us practice on mannequins they made themselves.
They told us that after our first murder -
- we would feel sick and sad.
But we had to get over it.
That we were doing it for God.
And that next time it would be easier.
He and the other prisoners were all taken away.
They were taken to the four British guys.
The Danish guy was with them.
But I don't know the Brits' real names.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure they still are.
Thanks.
You have 48 hours to provide the total sum of 2,000,000 euro in cash.
That's all they wrote. I'm sorry.
We've raised 10 million kroner. That's nowhere near enough.
Dad, call the bank. Increase the loan.
- Tell them we need more money. - They won't do that.
Any companies you might have overlooked?
I've written to every board, every major company in Denmark...
What am... I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I wrote to...
- Where are you going? - To bed.
- No... - I can't do this anymore, Anita!
Please just stay, Dad.
- I'm sorry, we'll call you back later. - It's fine.
What's going on?
- Honey... - What's wrong with Grandpa?
- He was crying. - No. Everything's fine.
- Four pieces. - They look good.
- How are you? - Wonderful.
Hello, Henning.
I'm Susanne. I went to school with your wife, Mie.
I served at your wedding.
My daughter, Anita, wrote to your board.
I'm Daniel Rye's mother.
Please hear what I have to say.
Of course. Just call and make an appointment.
I called you 20 times. No one from your board wants to meet with me.
- I'm very sorry about your son, but... - Please just give me ten minutes.
I have nowhere else to go.
All I ask is ten minutes of your time.
Everyone gave what they could afford, even the small businesses.
But we're still 5,000,000 kroner short. If we can't raise that now...
...they'll kill Daniel.
I do understand that this is a dreadful situation.
I sympathize with you and your entire family.
- But I can't help you. - I'm not asking for a gift.
I'm asking for a loan. I have 14 years left before I retire.
If I work overtime, I can pay some of it off.
I swear to you, I'll get the rest of the money somehow.
My husband drives a truck. He can work overtime too.
I'm so sorry, but...
...it's not possible.
I read that...
Last year you had a profit of 6 billion kroner.
I've never been rich.
But if I were, I expect one meaningful thing to do would be to help others.
- To change someone else's life. - There's nothing we would want more.
But if our company goes down that road -
- the consequences will be unforeseeable.
- You have children, don't you? - Yes.
Two boys and a girl.
Thank you for listening at least.
No, don't pay. I offered you coffee.
It's 46 kroner. I can manage that.
- Say hello to Mie. - Right.
I will.
Let's go.
- Good morning. - Can we have some cornflakes?
In a moment.
Anita?
Mom, Dad!
We got 15,000,000! We got 5,000,000 last night.
Look.
We received six transfers of 800,000 and...
500,000! 1,000,046! 700,000!
- I'll call Arthur! - Wait, let's check with the bank.
What a strange number! 1,000,046 kroner? Who donated that?
Do you want to bring 2,000,000 euro as carry-on?
Yes.
Who will go from the family?
- We're going too? - Not all of you.
- A familiar face is important. - You should come, Anita.
Me? Daniel and I aren't...
- He likes Christina and Mom better. - I'm sure he'll be happy to see you.
Okay.
Peace be with you.
- Turkcell? - Vodafone.
Daniel?
Daniel Rye?
My name is Arthur. I'm here to bring you home to Denmark.
Take these.
Come on. Meet your sister.
Hi, Anita.
- Can I have a beer? - Sure. Have whatever you want.
Here you go.
What about Signe?
I don't know, Daniel.
It will take time.
But everything will be okay now.
- See you tomorrow. - Have a nice party.
I'll throw it in and cover this guy. Take care, girls. Let's play.
You get one goal...
- Hello? - Daniel?
- Can we talk? - Sure.
- Is someone there with you? - Well, my family. What is it?
We've received a video, possibly of James.
I'm sorry, but the Americans have asked us to confirm whether it's him.
It's urgent.
You'll need to go online and search for "ISIS video James Foley".
Close your eyes and listen to James' voice.
When he's done speaking, turn off the video.
Daniel?
Do you hear me, Daniel?
Can you confirm that it's James?
It's James.
You're sure?
- I'm sure it's James. - Thank you.
Turn off the video. Don't watch any more.
Daniel, turn off the video.
Daniel, listen to me. Turn it off. Don't watch it.
And that's John.
That fucking bastard.
Daniel, turn off the video. Turn it off. Don't watch it.
No!
Daniel was held hostage for 13 months and was the last hostage to get out alive.
Seven hostages were killed. Two of the hostages are still missing.
Following the death of the hostages -
- President Obama issued a directive to improve communication -
- between the US government and the families of the hostages.
He stated that American families never have been prosecuted for raising a ransom.
He did not mention the possible prosecution of the donors.
The Danish government maintains its policy of not paying ransom -
- for Danish citizens imprisoned by terrorist groups like ISIS.
More than 100 journalists have died in Syria -
- since the beginning of the civil war.
More than 400,000 have died during the war.
Approximately 12 million people have either fled or been exiled.
Daniel Rye still travels and works as a photojournalist.
He and Signe got back together, and they now have a son.
"Many of the people who come to Denmark from Syria -
- have had experiences far worse than mine." - Daniel Rye, 2016