Must Kill on Meeting

[talktooloose]

I've long hated Dogme director, Lars Von Trier. He is one of only two people I've ever said I must kill upon meeting. The misogyny and contempt for his audience rankled me immediately upon seeing "breaking the wind" or whatever it was called.

I was listening to an old interview with Björk on Charlie Rose. Speaking of her work with the director on Dancer in the Dark, she summed up my feelings admirably:

"Creativity doesn't have to be cruel to be good. I think it's a sign of impotency if you think you have to add cruelty to your work for it to be considered art. I think if you are confident enough in what you do, you would nurture it with positive energy."

To me, this does not mean that bad shit doesn't happen in your stories. It means that you, as a writer, actor or director, must love your characters and be responsible for their fates.

Comments

[toodamnloud.livejournal.com]

If I ever see Grant Morrison, I'm punching a hole through him for the Martian Manhunter and kicking his balls til they come out his throat for Batman.

[spizzy.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Dancer in the Dark for what is was. I had never seen anything so cruel and manipulative. I left the theatre with tears in my eyes from sadness, while simultaneously laughing at what he had the nerve to do. It was an experience I respected him for.

That said, I haven't seen anything else by him. I also understand completely hating it.

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

Her experience on that film was torture.

No lie.

I do, however, like elements of Dogme 95, as it has evolved.

Him though?

Balls through the roof of his mouth, via my size 13 steel-toed boot!

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

The Russians respect Stalin, too.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

I heard Bruce bit the dust. Jonn Jonnz, too?

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

I've not seen a Dogme movie that I didn't think could use a proper DP and a design fag or two.

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

bitterlawngnome uses only natural light for his portraiture, for example.

And I do like the organic prop rule. It makes for good set choice.

But I have to agree with you about needing a DP... and the sound rule is nigh impossible to implement to today's standards.

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

I agree with your assessment.