 Originally, the idea for the series of Magtens billeder came into  being in 1997 when Folketinget (Danish Parliament) set up a research  project entitled Den Danske Magtudredning (the Account of Power in  Denmark). In spring 2003 Danmarks Radio and Det danske Filminstitut  announced an open competition, and received 111 proposals for  documentaries. 12 of these were selected for the series.