Lars von Trier returns to the cinema with 3 masterpieces: here’s what

Three films signed by the great, great Danish director Lars von Trier (69 years old, from 2022 suffering from Parkinson’s)co-founder of Dogma 95.

The Women’s Trilogy of Lars von Trier: when Dogville, Dancer in the Dark and the waves of the restored destiny come out

The films are Dogville (2003, release in cinemas 2-3-4 June), DANCER IN THE DARK (2001, 9-10-11 June), The waves of fate (1996, 23-24-25 June). All in a restored edition in 4K: already At the time of the first outing they were a splendor (also) for the OCHthe. Impossible to describe them now: one can only return to see them. Or find out … Movies inspiredwhich holds the rights for the entire Library of Von Trier, last year he had already distributed his first and initial trilogy: The element of crime, epidemic and Europe. Now let’s focus on this, hoping for continuation with Manderlay (2005) and the two chapters of Nymphomaniac (2013-2014), the other two films that continue the speech of Dogville. And knowing that Lars loved to play and make fun of us, fitting trilogies into trilogies ….

Lars von Trier’s Dogville, with Nicole Kidman: in cinemas on 2.3 and 4th June

Released in 2003 directed and scripted by Von Trier, presented In competition at the 56th Cannes Film Festival, it is his most experimental work. There is no classic scenography, nor authentic places and natural light. Everything is designed on a huge study transformed into stage: The road, the houses, the lampposts, the benches, even the dog Moses. The unsettling result plays in favor of words and gestures. A meager and essential location that enhances the crescendo of violence. The film is the first of the US diptych – land of opportunitieswhich will end two years later with Manderlay.

The Plot and the Stellar cast of Dogville by Lars von Trier

Dogville is a small village of Colorado, near the rocky mountains, in A closed route. There one night, Grace (Nicole Kidman) arrives, escaped in pursuit of two gangsters. We are in the 30s. Tom (Paul Bettany) welcomed her, the spokesperson for the small community, which offers her protection in exchange for small jobs. He will have to keep company with the old blind Jack McCay (Ben Gazzara), help in the small shop of the town, look after Chuck’s children (Stellan Skarsgård) and Vera (Patricia Clarkson). But Grace is sought after, the police twice arrives in the village, with the Missing and Wanted posters who take his photo. And the inhabitants of Dogville begin to always advance Greater claims to Graceuntil you reduce it to the state of slavery. But they will regret it …

Three good reasons for (re) see Dogville: the review

1. Because it is one magnificent parable on social relationships. Just follow the scan in nine chapters (and a prologue) and grasp the transformation of the characters. From good and charitable citizens to children (yes, even children) and large monsters. And then Nicole Kidman, who begins with a splendid angel face to turn into a ferocious revenge.
2. It is not the usual sentence, The cast is truly exceptional: In addition to Kidman, there are Paul Bettany, Patricia Clarkson, Jeremy Davies, Jean-Marc Barr. But it is also an opportunity to appreciate past artists such as Ben Gazzara, Lauren Bacall, James Caan, Udo Kier.
3. We want to talk about the soundtrack? The film ends on the notes of Young Americanswritten and sung by David Bowie. A real American parable, the land of opportunities … but to counterbalance, on those who are among the most strange tail titles ever, the images: vintage photographs, of the American of the 1930s of the Great Depression. Style Dorothea Lange…

Dancer in The Dark by Lars von Trier with Bjork and Catherine Deneuve: in cinemas on 9, 10 and 11 June

Winner of the Palma d’oro at the Cannes 2000 festival and the prize to the best actress gone to BjörK, also author of the soundtrack. The film is the last chapter of the golden heart trilogy (after The waves of fate And Idiots), focused on stories of women intended for sacrifice (sob).

The plot and cast of Dancer in The Dark, the proletarian musical

We are In the 60s, in the state of Washington. Selma (Björk) She is an almost blind mother girl, immigrant from Czechoslovakia. Works hard in the factory to pay the operation to the eye to the Twelve -year -old son Gene (tribute to Gene Kelly, passionate about Hollywood musicals) for her) who risks losing his view for a hereditary tara. While her friend and connects Kathy (Catherine Deneuve) helps her in the factory and in the tests of the musical All together passionatelythe policeman Bill (David Morse) rents her a mobile house in her garden. But he will go bankrupt and will steal the money for the son’s operation …

Three good reasons for (re) see Dancer in the dark

1. It is a musical, shot with the room by hand, except in moments of singing and dance (in the factory, on a train in the countryside, in court …) where up to 100 are used. And these scenes are very beautiful and vital also because, as Selma says, « nothing terrible happens in the musicals », and it is there that she takes refuge to escape from reality.
2. Is one denounces to a company where everything revolves around money, and speaks of exploitation, of overpowering the weakest, more current theme even today. And again, it is a decisive position against the death penalty, declared unconstitutional in the state of Washington in 2018 and abolished only two years ago.
3. Quotes Starting from the tribute to the number Dancing in the Dark Of Variety show, With Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse by Vincente Minnelli (1953). And then, Forty -twoth road By Lloyd Bacon with the choreography of Busby Berkeley (1933), which Selma and Kathy see at the cinema. Finally with Joel Gray, master of ceremony in Cabaret by Bob Fosse (1972) Which here interprets the Czechoslovakian dancer Oldrich Novy.

The waves of the fate of Lars von Trier outgoing event at the cinema on 23, 24 and 25 June

Jury Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 1996the eight chapter film marks thedebut of the English actress Emily Watson. It is Bess, a role that has cost you the expulsion from the school of economic sciences that he attempts then. The original title, Breaking The Wavesreveals the deepest sense of the work: to break the waves, the positive ones of love and the negative ones of incomprehension and dogmatism.

The plot and cast of the waves of fate

In a Small town on the coasts of northern Scotland, Bess (Emily Watson) falls in love with Jan (Stellan Skarsgård)technician on an oil platform. The two marry despite the opposite opinion of the elderly of the community, rigidly Calvinist and contrary to the arrival of a foreigner. Bess loves her bridegroom with all of herself. When He has a serious accident at work that completely paralyzes himaccepts his request to have meetings with other men to relive sensations that both can no longer try. The young woman thus faces the contempt for the family, the community and the Church. Until the extreme …

Three good reasons for (re) see the waves of fate

1. For The extraordinary interpretation of Emily Watson/Bess, Ingenuous figure, completely dedicated to his love for Jan and unable to live without him. Full of meanings Her « interviews » with God, to whom she herself gives voice and to whom he constantly addresses to dissolve his doubts and to intercede for the healing of Jan.
2. Why this movie It makes us reflect once more about the expression of a religious bigotry (here told very well) which best expresses the idea of ​​a punitive, dogmatic faith that does not provide for forgiveness, unfortunately still current theme. An example? The reverend of the country, during the funeral, condemns the deceased to hell who have not adhered to the religious precepts in life.
3. « What enormous power love, » says Jan. von Trier investigates and mixes passion, feeling, morality and sexuality With extreme skill. It is a mix that makes you think. Even today.