Year of release: 2009
Director: LArs Von Trier
Stars: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
Synopsis:Lars Von Trier has always been a polarizing director. His most well known films, namely "Europa", "Breaking the Waves", "Dancer in the Dark" and "Dogville" have all garnered critical acclaim, but also some downright harsh judgements. "Antichrist" which premiered at the 2009 Cannes film festival was no exception. The film follows a couple with a small child, to whom a horrible accident occurs. While making love the couple is oblivious that their small child has walked out of his room and accidentally plunges to his death. The husband, who is a therapist, decides to take the woman to the woods, since he feels she needs to confront her sorrows and pain. What follows is a slow descent into profound sadness, bitterness and alienation.
Lars Von Trier has mentioned he wrote this film while in a profound depression. It can be easily attested, since the dynamics between this couple escalate towards a terrible ending which we see coming quite apparently. Von Trier deftly plays with the concepts of evil, womanhood, in a way that is misogynist, but also represented in an intelligent and artistic way. The film has two great actors who hold nothing back, either Willem Dafoe or Charlotte Gainsbourg. The film is a representation of all that can go wrong in a couple's relationship, but does it so unlike anything else. A film worth watching.
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