Lars Von Trier and Manderlay
He is principally accused of having a brass neck as a maker of critical films about America, when he has never visited the country and is unlikely to because of an eccentric travelling phobia.
| 16 Apr 2006
Anyone who has seen the Danish director Lars Von Trier's 2003 movie 'Dogville' would immediately comment on its minimalism. Filmed on a sound stage with lining on the floor to create a performance space like a Cluedo board, it was a high-brow production resembling black box theatre that shifted the balance onto the actors to carry the movie. Its sequel, 'Manderlay', continues in the same genre and comes with an even bigger helping of controversy than its predecessor.
Set in the 1930s, 'Manderlay' picks up where 'Dogville' left off in following the character of Grace from her flight from 'Dogville' when she and her gang leader father come across a slave plantation in the American south; seventy years after it was supposed to have been abolished. Grace resolves to educate and eventually liberate the black people there who are held in benign servitude by a white woman. Throughout, Von Trier's attempt to tackle the issue of racism in 'Manderlay' is as unsubtle as his depiction of attitudes towards women in 'Dogville'.
Von Trier has faced a barrage of criticism in the US, being a foreigner making judgements on American history and ethics. 'Manderlay' is the second of a trilogy entitled 'America: Land of Opportunities' - a title which can be taken as containing at least a tiny amount of sarcasm. He is principally accused of having a brass neck as a maker of critical films about America, when he has never visited the country and is unlikely to because of an eccentric travelling phobia.
He has taken an undoubted risk with 'Manderlay'; politically, and artistically he has done the same in continuing his bare bones staging and changing an established big name star, Nicole Kidman, to the fledgling Bryce Dallas Howard for the lead role. Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall is back but in a different character as is Chloe Sevigny who has been relegated to a non-speaking part. The appearance of Danny Glover and Willem Defoe has ensured that the critical reaction in the US has not been completely damning. A complex subject matter and an elaborate setting will stretch your imagination to the limit, but good acting and an engaging story should make seeing this film worthwhile if you are an arthouse enthusiast.
Set in the 1930s, 'Manderlay' picks up where 'Dogville' left off in following the character of Grace from her flight from 'Dogville' when she and her gang leader father come across a slave plantation in the American south; seventy years after it was supposed to have been abolished. Grace resolves to educate and eventually liberate the black people there who are held in benign servitude by a white woman. Throughout, Von Trier's attempt to tackle the issue of racism in 'Manderlay' is as unsubtle as his depiction of attitudes towards women in 'Dogville'.
Von Trier has faced a barrage of criticism in the US, being a foreigner making judgements on American history and ethics. 'Manderlay' is the second of a trilogy entitled 'America: Land of Opportunities' - a title which can be taken as containing at least a tiny amount of sarcasm. He is principally accused of having a brass neck as a maker of critical films about America, when he has never visited the country and is unlikely to because of an eccentric travelling phobia.
He has taken an undoubted risk with 'Manderlay'; politically, and artistically he has done the same in continuing his bare bones staging and changing an established big name star, Nicole Kidman, to the fledgling Bryce Dallas Howard for the lead role. Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall is back but in a different character as is Chloe Sevigny who has been relegated to a non-speaking part. The appearance of Danny Glover and Willem Defoe has ensured that the critical reaction in the US has not been completely damning. A complex subject matter and an elaborate setting will stretch your imagination to the limit, but good acting and an engaging story should make seeing this film worthwhile if you are an arthouse enthusiast.
Manderlay is out now.
http://www.manderlaythefilm.com/