There have been very few directors in the history of cinema who seem to hate their viewership as much as Lars von Trier. In his eclectic directorial career, the Dutchman has revolted us, shocked us and unsettled us with such titles as Melancholia, Antichrist and Dogville. Though none of the controversial film-maker's work makes for easy watching, none of his films can compare to the emotional sledgehammer that is his musical drama piece, Dancer in the Dark. When she is wrongfully accused of a crime she didn't really commit, Selma (Björk) is sentenced to be hung. Rather than using her money to hire a lawyer, the luckless Czech immigrant gives everything she has to the Institute for the Blind to pay for an operation which will prevent her son from developing the blindness she is afflicted with. Just before she is killed, her friend Cvalda (chubby in Czech) informs her that the operation on her son was successful she can now die happily. Prior to receiving the good news, von Trier had kindly provided us with plenty of disheartening extreme close-ups of Selmas distraught, terrified face. Selma making the ultimate sacrifice so that her child might enjoy a better quality of life immediately makes her stand out as a Christ-figure. Her despair as she nears her death is also comparable to Jesus outcry of My God, my God, why have you forsaken me (Matthew 27:46) as the pain of crucifixion becomes too great. A particularly harrowing title in a directorial career full of painful films.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
