Emil Nolde never sought to please. He wanted his painting to be an authentic expression of the intensity of the moment. Misunderstood by his contemporaries and declared “degenerate” by the Nazis, his works are now internationally acclaimed. Wilfried Hauke’s film tells the turbulent life story of one of Expressionism's leading figures. “Dreams by the Sea” also pays tribute to the unique landscape of the North Sea coast and southern Denmark.