Lars Von Trier

[criterionmaster]

Discuss this man here. Here are some thoughts on Dancer in the Dark, the only film I have seen from the man:

Dancer in the Dark (Lars Von Trier; 2000) 10/10

The second best film I have ever seen. Nothing could ever match the experience I had while watching this film, if I would have tried to grade it last night I wouldn’t have even been able to. I was just in shock after the film, and immediately went and re-watched it. Something I want to try and do more often with films because it seems to help me remember them.

Bjork gives possible the single best performance ever on film, and after how much she had to go through on the film she said she would never work again. I can see why. All other performances are absolutely outstanding and may be the single best overall acted film this decade.

The film is SO real, feels just so painful to watch. I can’t get over how many times I was close to crying during this film, and the one time I did. Never will a musical be like this, never will another film be like this. Bjork composed all the songs and they are just haunting to say the least. The way the songs are choreographed and shot are absolutely jaw dropping. The scenes are shot in bright colors as an homage to old musicals and the film is shot in darker colors, so you can tell them apart.

If you ever take one single recommendation from me in the whole time you are on the forum this MUST be it, I cannot believe what I have just seen. The ending left me emotionally paralyzed, a wound which I will never recover from. I was so drained at the end of this film, more so than any other film ever. Von Trier has made something so strong it cannot be explained in words.

[kiddo]

Oh, now I really want to see that film!

I've only seen The Element of Crime and Europa (aka. Zentropa), in addition to the first episode of Riget (The Kingdom).

The Element of Crime was good, but not great. The story was quite difficult to understand, and I don't really know how much it tries to say. But Trier has said himself that this film is some kind of a "style over substans"-thing, nearly a practise. The cinematography is fantastic, nevertheless. It's a mix of originality and tributes to the likes of Orson Welles' films.

So, as a conclusion, The Element of Crime is not that interesting content-wise, but totally beautiful to look at. Worth a watch.


The Element of Crime

Europa, on the other hand, contains both BRILLIANT cinematography and an interesting story. The greatest thing about it, however, is how it is told. Europa is, at the moment, on the top of my top 20. It's just so playful, while being moody and deep.

You are the main character in Europa. You are in Europa. The narrator uses "you" when he, for example, says: "You wake up and feel lonely". He says this when the main character do wake up, and you are in some kind of way the main character yourself. This "you-thing" works, surprisingly enough. But you will probably not believe it before you see it. So... see it!

Europa is one of the greatest cinematic experiences I've had. Nuff said.

[ie]

The first two episodes of the Kingdom are not that noteworthy, but I started to get interested in the show during the third episode.

I still haven't seen the whole series, but it's turning out to be interesting.

[captainofbeef]

I'm sorry, but I have no interest in Dancer in the Dark. I despise Bjork as a person and I despise her music. She is the best example of a pompous bitch ever. She may be phenomenal in the film, but I don't really care. I have heard too many horror stories about her and seen her do too many awful things for me to gain any interest in seeing or hearing anything that she is involved with.

[agentknight]

What the hell beef? How could you possibly dislike Bjork's music? It's so fresh and unique... there's nothing else like it out there. It just has this uniqueness to it that makes it really interesting and fun to listen to. I am dissapointed in your attitude.

[captainofbeef]

I have heard very little of Bjork's music and from what I have heard, it seems like its just not for me. "Debut" was too poppy for me and "Post" had its moments, but overall it left me wanting more. I do think that because I heard about the person before I heard the music that my dislike of the person may have affected my opinion of the music. Medulla does look very interesting, but I am not in love with Bjork's vocals, so I am reluctant to buy it.

[criterionmaster]

captainofbeef said:

If you don't like a band that everyone else likes, you should at least listen to two or three FULL records of that band before declaring you hate them. Who knows, what you find might change your opinion.

I don't think it is fair that you won't see a film just because you don't like someone in the film, especially since it is one of the best films ever made. I think you would love the film, and you should just get over Bjork being in it and watch it. It's not like she plays herself or something.

[agentknight]

By the way, I should have mentioned this earlier, but yes, I do agree that it is one of the greatest films ever made. The second best? Perhaps not. Hell, it's not even in my top 50 on YMDb. But it is astonishing nonetheless.

[criterionmaster]

Well not everyone will like it second best, but it was the experience I had while watching it. Not everyone will have the same experience, but I am glad you do like it. Everyone must see the film.

[agentknight]

Reading that was orgasmic.

[criterionmaster]

Oh that interview was outstanding! I love how Tarkovsky hated his film and it is awesome he likes Pasolini and stuff. Those are the kind of interviews I like!

[kiddo]

Yeah, very interesting...

[sacrilegend]

I saw both Dogville and Dancer in The Dark in the past week. Go read my review on DitD in the "Rate the last film..." thread, it's the longest and most draining I've I've ever written (I'm new at this, okay?!)

Both are now among my favourite movies. Wow. This man is pure master.