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Von Trier etc.
Lars Von Trier managed to joke his way through a hostile press conference a day after the premiere of “Antichrist” in Cannes.
A reporter for London’s Daily Mail asked the first question in a bombastic, hostile tone, saying that the Danish director had to explain his movie to the press, and that he shouldn’t keep dodging the question.
Von Trier said bluntly that he didn’t need to explain himself or his movie to anyone. He said he felt like he was bringing his movie to Cannes and that the press were his guests. And he said he doesn’t explain himself to guests.
“Antichrist,” as you’ve probably heard, is the most controversial movie at this year’s festival. And lots of press people like to puff and huff at what they deem offensive. There is plenty of room to take offense in the latest effort from the enfant terrible of Danish cinema. Genital mutilations. Hardcore sex shots.
But in Von Trier’s defense, the movie came from a dream he had when he was deeply depressed. And to change that dream would be to lie, he argued. He also said it was up to critics to see the film references he was making, mentioning such greats as Tarkovsky and Bergman, both of whom never really liked his films, he joked.
He went on to say that he hoped people would understand that he was “the greatest living film director,” and that everyone else was overrated. Unbelievably, the TV press in Europe reported this as if it weren’t a joke. But it was. He wasn’t being arrogant. He was just being Von Trier.
“Antichrist” will have great difficulty finding a release in many countries because of its content. And the hostility in Cannes won’t help. But the opening scenes of “Antichrist,” as a child falls from a window while his parents are making love, has to rank as one of the most mesmerizing of recent years. And yes, there’s a film reference there, too. “Don’t Look Now.”
Regular audiences may not flock to “Antichrist,” but if you’re reading this blog and care about movies, you’ll want to go. You may not like it. But it’s quite the experience.
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