1. Kirsten Dunst– Melancholia– In Lars von Trier’s apocalyptic new film, Dunst creates one of cinema’s most fully realized portraits of numbing depression. In all of her performances, Dunst has shown a skill sometimes greater than the films she is in. Here, she takes the role of Justine, a woman who self-destructs on her wedding night and takes shelter with her sister as the planet Melancholia goes on a collision course with Earth. Key Scene: In the deepest part of her depression, Justine even needs help getting down to the dinner table. Her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) made meatloaf, her favorite dish. When Justine tastes it, her face crumbles, and she says it tastes like ash. That’s all that will be left of the planet in a couple days, and she can’t wait.
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ARCHIVE REVIEW: Dancer in the Dark
Dancer in the Dark
Directed by: Lars von Trier
Written by: Lars von Trier
Starring: Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare
Brilliant auteur and unapologetic cinematic sadist Lars von Trier is one of the movies’ most polarizing figures among critics. He has a cult following of fans, some of which are the most respected film scholars working today. Almost all of his movies follow an artistic pattern of well thought out shots that often contain disturbing images. This is where Dancer in the Dark is unique.
Von Trier’s emotionally wrenching film has a visual style that many will recognize from Cloverfield or NBC’s The Office. It may throw fans off, and that’s probably his intention. As a member of the Dogma style of film making, it is this director’s goal to throw you for a loop by defying everything held sacred in the movies. He deconstructs typical methods and injects heavy amounts of emotion and tragedy in order to confound the viewer and leave them uncertain about what they’ve witnessed. Dancer is no different in this regard.