Lars Von Trier’s apocalyptic wedding

Two years after Antichrist, the director of Dancer In The Dark, which won the Palme d’or in 2000, returns to Competition with Melancholia. This feature film with psychological undertones marks the filmmaker’s first venture into science fiction.

If there’s one thing that cinema followers agree on regarding Lars Von Trier, it’s that each new stage in his film career provokes a reaction. A perfect example from this Danish director who loves improvised scenes and filming with a shoulder-mounted camera is his successful 2009 film, Antichrist, a heavy psychological drama starring Charlotte Gainsbourg (who won the Prix d’interprétation féminine).

Melancholia is Lars Von Trier’s 9th film presented in Competition following in the footsteps of The Element Of Crime (1984), Breaking The Waves (1996, Grand Prix du Jury), and Dogville (2003), and he has decided to venture into science fiction for the first time. Until now this is a genre he has avoided, in keeping with his cinematographic ideals, which involve in particular avoiding special effects.

The plot of this “romantic” (in the words of Lars Von Trier) feature filmed in Sweden focuses on the worrying appearance of the huge planet of Melancholia, which threatens to collide with the Earth. Against this apocalyptic backdrop, Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) and Justine (Kirsten Dunst) are getting married. But the relationship between the bride and her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) deteriorates the closer Melancholia gets.

Of particular note in the cast is Kiefer Sutherland, the hero from the 24 series, and the French actress Charlotte Rampling.

B.P.

The film is being screened at 8:30 am, 2 pm and 10:30 pm, Grand Théâtre Lumière.