Carlsen began by writing and directing short documentaries and industry films, and with this background he flourished in the production of the
cinéma vérité style. His documentary trilogy,
De Gamle (
The Elderly – 1961)),
Familiebilleder (
Family pictures- 1964) and
Ung (
Youth – 1965), created a classic portrait of 1960s Denmark as the nation revolutionized and transformed into a modern welfare society Especially noted was Carlsen's technique of rhythmic editing in
De Gamle which produced a lyrical portrait of retirees without any needed commentary. Carlsen was nominated for the
Palme d'Or and won the
Bodil Award for Best Danish Film. The following year, Carlsen changed pace from his realistic dramas and made the comedy
People Meet and Sweet Music Fills the Heart (
Mennesker mødes og sød musik opstår i hjertet) based on the work of Jens August Schade. Again, he was awarded the Bodil Award for Best Danish Film. During his career, Carlsen has maintained interest in popular comedies with such films as
Oh, to Be on the Bandwagon! (
Man sku være noget ved musikken), in collaboration with
Benny Andersen, and ''
I Wonder Who's Kissing You Now?. In 1967, Carlsen returned to the same format of social realism he used in Sult
with the drama We are All Demons
(Klaubauterman''), a story based upon a novel by Axel Sandemose. In 1986, Carlsen filmed the international production
Wolf at the Door starring Donald Sutherland. During his career, Carlsen has written 19 films and directed 21. He has also directed for both theater and television. Since 1966, Carlsen has been a teacher and member of the advisory council for the National Film School in Denmark. In 2006, Carlsen was the recipient of the Golden Swan Lifetime Achievement Award at the Copenhagen Film Festival. He also released his film,
Memoria de Mis Putas Tristes (
Memories of My Melancholy Whores), adapted from the 2004 novel by
Gabriel García Márquez. ==Books==