FeatureFilm
Melancholia
- Rated: M - offensive language and nudity
- Running Length:2hrs 30mins
- Cast:Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Rampling, Jesper Christensen, John Hurt
Session Times
- Thu 23 Feb:
- Fri 24 Feb:
- Sat 25 Feb:
- Sun 26 Feb:
- Mon 27 Feb:
- Tue 28 Feb:
- Wed 29 Feb:
Summary
It is not unexpected that Lars von Trier can take a catastrophic event like the end of the world, and make something unexpected and extraordinary with it. Think Armageddon crossed with The Celebration, The Anniversary Party or any other film that features disparate family members thrown together for a stressful event.
The film opens with a prologue accompanied by the prelude to Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde. It is a surreal segment that features Kiersten Dunst, in her wedding dress, wandering through a forest as dead birds and insects plummet from the sky. Her sister walks across an golf course and is devoured by it the way quicksand obliterates anyone who tries to cross it. Intercut with these startling images is footage of a planet hurtling toward earth.
The planet is Melancholia. The name echoes the state of mind of Justine, a young bride who is barely holding it together at her reception in the swanky home of her sister and brother-in-law. Tension seethes between the family members, especially between the sisters’ divorced parents. Justine’s behavior grows more bizarre as the evening goes on until it threatens her new marriage.
In the film’s second half, which takes place days or weeks later, when the two planets are on the verge of colliding, Justine shows herself to be the more sane of the two siblings. She acknowledges the reality of the situation they face rather than hiding behind facts or denial the way her family do.
With outstanding performances, gorgeous visuals and a high-concept premise, Lars von Trier once again proves himself to be one of the most visionary and interesting filmmakers working today.