At the top of my list as "most anticipated" for 2009 is Lars von Trier's Antichrist, which just had its world premiere at the ongoing Cannes market/festival. I've been patiently awaiting the buzz, good or bad, and have instead found myself interested for all the wrong reasons - "explicit sexual gore". Apparently it was so intense it caused an uproar during a press conference where reporters asked von Trier to explain himself. Read on for this breaking story.
From the Hollywood Reporter:
"Declaring himself "the world's greatest director," 53-year-old Dane Lars von Trier defended his enfant terrible title with aplomb at the Monday news conference for his Competition shocker "Antichrist."
It started with a shouting match between Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye and other members of the press corps, with Bamigboye demanding von Trier "explain and justify" the explicit sexual gore in his film and another journo in the audience yelling "He's an artist, you're not. He doesn't have to explain anything!"
And he didn't. On questions both abusive and toadying, von Trier maintained his autistic savant persona, deliberately avoiding any explanation of "Antichrist," alternatively mocking or dismissing his interrogators.
"I don't have to explain anything. You are all my guests here, not the other way round," von Trier said. "Anyway, I don't think about the audience when I make a film. I don't care. I make films for myself."
Von Trier did defend his use of nausea-inducing imagery -- including a bloody masturbation scene and a leg-drilling sequence that could have been cribbed from the "Saw" franchise -- as artistic "honesty," saying to leave the shockers out would have been "like lying."
He also insisted he was not playing a joke on the audience but meant everything, from the film's talking fox to the closing dedication to Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky, a dedication that drew howls of laughter at last night's press screening, to be taken seriously.
But, as always, von Trier tried to have it both ways, joking that it was "a bit of a pity" one can't actually kill people on screen and putting the blame for the most extreme scenes on lead actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.
"Charlotte took it too far. I tried to, but I just couldn't stop her," von Trier quipped."
I'm hooked, fuck Daily Mail! I've always hated that pathetic broadsheet with their ignorant ill founded opinions on film; worst newspaper ever! This looks and sounds like a fresh, ballsy and innovative movie; high art risk taking filmaking!
The more I hear about this film, the more I am intrigued. However I am not a huge fan of the gore ie: Saw/Hostel. So hopefully it is only a small part of the film, the rest seems more psychological/supernatural in its plot leanings. Von Triers sounds ever the artiste` eccentric... fabulous!
www.musingcontinuum.wordpress.com
Awww, did the little Daily Mail "journalist" get upset at the sexy scenes? Awww, never mind <tousles hair, reads "journalist" a cosy bedtime story>. Fucking numpty.
That Daily Mail journo sounds like a complete dick ! Good on Lars for saying he doesn't have to explain anything. This one sounds very intruiging. I'm in.
Finally a filmmaker with balls. God bless the festival film circuit, where you dont have to answer to the masses, film studios, and press. Fuck em all Lars von Trier! Stay true - horror fans will ALWAYS see through the bitchy press.
While a filmmaker does not have to defend himself, this Von Trier sounds like a total jackass. "I don't think about the audience. I make movies for myself." Yeah, that's what a first-year film or writing student says. But by the time you get the budget to make a real film, you better understand that if you are not making it for an audience, there is no point in making it at all. Not for financial reasons, either, but simply because the point of putting an idea to film is to share it instead of letting it live solely in your head. Daily Mail's journalist was undoubtedly out of line. But I have no hope for this movie being anything but an unintelligible mess from an over-confident, self-indulgent director. Grow up, Von Trier. It ain't just about you.
This will be interesting to see who distributes this over here. Will it see a theatrical release,lol or straight to video. I too still dont know what its about, nor do I care, but I know I'll watch it :)
the director sounds like a complete douche bag. I hope this movie bombs....although I have a feeling we all know it will. Theres shocking people, and then there are try hards, and this guy is a try hard, he goes out of his way to shock people. Frankly, shock value is not hard to accomplish, anyone can do it, this is just sad. The director sounds like a real arrogant asshole.
Sounds like some people aren't familiar with Von Trier's MO. He's a real fucker and I'm not sure if I care for his work. But the world is more interesting with him in it.
This looks decent. It all goes back to the basic question, "if it's too much for you, simply don't watch it". I hate censorship. It's Von Tier's work, he should be allowed to express himself however he feels it needs to be. I couldn't help by watching the trailer and not think about The Evil Dead with the rustic cabin setting in the woods and the evil forces that seem to be surrounding them.
Though I can't agree with the journalist in any way, Von Trier is missing the point just as much. If the movie is made for self pleasure only, there's no point in showing it to others. I enjoyed his "Dancer in the Dark" but the rest seems to be worthless, IMO. Not looking forward to this one because the film doesn't look interesting from the clip.
STOP USING SAW AND HOSTEL AS REFERENCES TO HORROR FILMS AND FOR GORE. THOSE ARE NOT GOOD REPRESENTATIONS!
NETHER OF THOSE MOVIES ARE THAT GOOD OR GOREY!
Comments Page 1 of 2 | Next -> | Last ->> You have to be logged in to comment! If you don't have an account register now for free! Your account allows you to post comments and reviews, upload videos and images, access or our forums, write personal blogs, and maintain your profile.
"Declaring himself "the world's greatest director," 53-year-old Dane Lars von Trier defended his enfant terrible title with aplomb at the Monday news conference for his Competition shocker "Antichrist."
Print Story
Send to a Friend
