Antichrist: Chaos Reigns at the Cannes Filmfestival 2009 (2009) by Michael Sandager - (3/10)

8 minute short, showing Lars von Trier, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe walking around from press conference to press conferences at the day of the premier of Antichrist at the 2009 Cannes Filmfestival. It is very short, mostly shows them walking and not the interviews themselves, there are some brief moments from the movie itself and the whole thing is set to the same music as the movie. Only fun moment was when an interviewer demanded that Lars von Trier justifies why he made this movie. Otherwise it is a rather pointless.

Antichrist (2009) by Lars von Trier - (5/10)

Antichrist is visually definitely one of the most beautiful if not most beautiful movie that Lars von Trier has made so far, it is a very far cry from the Dogma ’95 style that he once used to use. Visually it is breathtaking, the acting is excellent. The actual content of the movie leaves much to desire, it might seem that Lars von Trier was out there to shock. The movie opens with a couple having sex (actual penetration being briefly shown, apparently a first of sorts for a semi-mainstream movie) whilst their son dies, there is also the now infamous, genital mutilation scene. None of it is as shocking as some make it out to be and if you ignore the shock factor, not much is left there. I did not find it to be misogynistic unlike some if anything I would deem it to be misandrist but misandrism is a borderline acceptable these days, nothing wrong with that. I would say that it was the guy who was way out of line, the woman was doing fine, up until the torture that is. I did not feel that the whole thing gave any insights into grief or comping with it. Antichrist is visually breathtaking and the acting as usual in Lars von Trier’s movies is stellar but it is rather hollow on the inside.

Manderlay (2005) by Lars von Trier - (7/10)

Manderlay is the second film in what seems like now, a never to be finished trilogy. It seems rather obvious as to why Lars von Trier might be reluctant now to finish the trilogy.


On its own right, Manderlay would have been an excellent movie. Following the masterpiece, Dogville, its impact was lessened somewhat. The visual style which was not as unique and shocking as it had been in the first movie, is was no longer as new and fresh as before. No matter how hard the story hits you, it is not as soul crushing as it was the first time around. Sadly Nicole Kidman wasn’t around this time, Lars von Trier apparently bullied her a bit to much the first time around, she was often reduced to tears. Bryce Dallas Howard does a pretty good job here, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people preferred her over Kidman. Despite this complaints, Manderlay is an excellent movie. It is a study about racism in America, one that I might find easier to agree with than some Americans might because just like Lars von Trier, I too have never been outside of Europe. I do think that, the lessons to be learned and conclusions to be drawn are universal in many ways. The movie is made more interesting by the main characters good intentions, she is not someone who is racist by her own accord and tries her best to avoid being one. She is perceived as one by the ones that she tries to help. Wait for the wonderful twist at the end, misanthropic ending. Reminded me a bit of The Village, the twist is meaningful, realistic and interesting here. Much like the first part, Manderlay is not as much anti-American as it is simply misanthropic. It makes you question the worth of the human race.