Never in a thousand years did we dream we’d hear the words Kirsten Dunst and Lars Von Trier in the same sentence, but it’s happened.
The Danish enfante terrible has shored up the cast for his sci-fi-ish psychological disaster film, “Melancholia” and it’s a rather stellar one, including Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg from “Antichrist” (as rumored), Kiefer Sutherland, English doyenne Charlotte Rampling and father and son thespians Alexander Skarsgaard and Stellan Skarsgaard, plus the great German actor Udo Kier. We kinda have to say, wow.
Penelope Cruz was once in negotiations for “Melancholia” — a high-concept film likely about a random planet moving too closely into Earth’s orbit (or so these production stills suggest) which causes global disaster — but bailed instead for “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” (talk about your 18os).
“No more happy endings!” was Von Trier’s initial strange, sarcastic statement about the film when it was announced late last year, ironic obviously since most of his pictures are as bleak and razor-to-wrist-inducing as all get out.
Either way, it’s pretty much the ensemble film we imagined, probably different people on Earth dealing with the impending doom of the planet, all freaking out, trying to survive and trying to find their loved ones. It’ll be the intelligent man’s take on “2012,” with probably minimal effects is our guess, and a modest budget at $7 million dollars. “Psychological disaster” also implies that nothing really happens physically to the earth, but the planet just bursts into a global widespread panic which is its own internal disaster (looting, plundering, etc.). Should be as fun as any Disney ride, we’re sure. And needless to say, sounds like a must-see and just jumped to the top of our Most Anticipated 2011 list. [Deadline]
Criterion announced their July slate.
Just a heads up.
Dunst did fine work in 'Virgin Suicides,' 'Crazy/Beautiful,' 'Eternal Sunshine,' and the underrated 'Marie Antoinette.' All she needs is the right role.
FYI, it's Charlotte Rampling, and she's British.
Kiefer Sutherland! I don't remember the last time that man acted. He's been running around catching terrorists for so long now…
@anon, of course, sorry, that was written under duress and quick. fixed, thx for the duh, head's up.
Trier needs to be put in a straight jacket. I'm surprised any woman would still want to work with this misogynist.
I agree with childeroland, Kirsten Dunst is a very underrated actor, and would like to add Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Levity and Mona Lisa Smile to the list of fine work she's done. Of course if you form your opinions according to what Perez Hilton says, I can see why you'd be surprised that such an artistic and unconventional director would want to work with her.
Misogyny, my ass. There's a reason why actresses like Deneuve, Bacall, Kidman, Gainsbourg etc. want to work with Lars and I don't think it's misogyny. The man demands a lot from his actors/actresses and he's a shameless self-promoter, but the talks about his misogyny and sadism towards actors are just bullshit and hype.
If you think Lars von Trier movies are misogynist, you need a philosophical/psychological guidance to re-watch all his movies. Its exactly the opposite.
Kiefer Sutherland is a great actor. One good unknown filme by him: To End All Wars
Nicole Kidman has vowed never to make a movie with him ever again after "Dogville." And Bjork gave up a promising acting career after "Dancer in the Dark" because the experience was too traumatic for her. Trier isn't good with women. He's a misogynist. Antichrist does nothing but prove that. The message is clear: women are irresponsible, hyper-sexualized, irrational, emotional, and not to be trusted. That's why the husband (the Willem Defoe character) strangles her at the end for his own survival. Trier ludicrously updates the story of Adam and Eve and indulges in the one aspect of that story that has angered feminists for ages: women are portrayed as weak and the root of all evil.
So it seems, but it ain't so, I tell y'all.. Ain't no use arguing /w anons in twitter.. U shouldn't mix the work and the maker. Trier has said many interesting things in interviews, maybe u should read/listen.. He likes to provoke people. Job well done. Long live Lars, I love u, u misogynist genius!
Has Kidman vowed so? Source, or it didn't happen? Björk is Björk, too sensitive, Trier himself said that she couldn't act, instead she lived the role, that's why she's so good in it, that's why it was so hard for her, Trier was no asshole, he demands a lot from actors. People like Björk and some others, maybe Kidman, who are used to being treated like princesses maybe don't like that. Stop calling him a misogynist, since you don't know the guy. The public persona is an act. Never in an interview has he said anything misogynistic. The movies are movies. He identifies with the women in his movies. Of course there's a fear of women too, in Antichrist, blaa blaa blaa. But just because women are suffering in his movies doesn't mean that he thinks all women should suffer or some such stupid .. He's not politically correct, that's why people get offended, that's why he's so good.
Antichrist is no proof of Trier's misognyny (c'mon, there's a misogyny consultant listed in the end credits). He loves to provoke people and he hates political correctness because it kills all the real conversations. He was critiqued about being anti-american when he se Dancer in the Dark in the US. So he made Dogville (the first part of the USA trilogy). He's been accused of misogyny for long. So he makes Antichrist. A movie that is misogynistic on the surface level, and about the war between sexes etc. That's just the way he works. (He was jokingly called von Trier in film school because they thought he was arrogant, elitist – so he took the "von" to his name permanently – don't ever tell Lars what to do and how to behave, because he does just the opposite).
This mysoginist is still making films with women? I guess they'll never learn.