10 Overblown Film Directors Who Need To Learn The Meaning Of Restraint

5. Lars Von Trier

Many people unfairly view European cinema as pretentious and indulgent just for the sake of it. Lars Von Trier is a big reason why people think this. Von Trier has made some incredible films that tread the fine line between mind-blowing cinema and tasteless art, including The Idiots, Dancer In The Dark and Dogville, but recent years have seen him tip the scales completely into overblown pretension. The opening scene in Antichrist depicts a couple making love in black and white slow motion as their child jumps from a window, all set to orchestral music. URGH! And Melancholia was no better. Von Trier doesn't just need to learn the meaning of restraint. He needs to be beaten around the back of the head with it. Look back at your past work Von Trier. There wasn't much restraint there either, but some is better than none. Oh, and don't make Nazi comments at Cannes. Seriously.