8. Antichrist
Plot Summary Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg play an unclean looking couple whose baby dies whilst they are having sex. They move to the woods and she starts freaking him out. Hes a psychologist, theres a self-disembowling fox, a clitoris gets cut off and theres a whole lot of symbolism. Why is it confusing? Lars Von Trier is known for making dense, difficult cinematic tour-de-forces that polarize viewers completely, and Antichrist is no exception to this. Here, it isnt necessarily the plot that confuses the viewer, but instead the actions of the characters, the meaning of their cryptic dialogue, and the radical on screen activities (did you say a hailstorm of acorns?). If you see Willem Dafoes name and think sweet, Green Goblin! this film will leave you feeling confused, horrified, and a little bit violated. For those acquainted with Von Triers unique view of life (we are talking about a man who once said he sympathised with Hitler here) it will still shock, but in an I sort of expect it now way. Not an enjoyable film, but doubtless a cryptic, impenetrable force that you will be thinking about for days.
Daniel Flynn
I am a third year English student at the University of Southampton attempting to use my interest in music and films in a mildly productive manner. I hope it has worked.
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Daniel