#542: TRIER, Lars von: Antichrist (2009)

TRIER, Lars von (Denmark)

Antichrist [2009]

Spine #542
Blu-ray

Lars von Trier shook up the film world when he premiered Antichrist at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. In this graphic psychodrama, a grief-stricken man and woman — a searing Willem Dafoe and Cannes best actress winner Charlotte Gainsbourg — retreat to their cabin deep in the woods after the accidental death of their infant son, only to find terror and violence at the hands of nature and, ultimately, each other. But this most confrontational work yet from one of contemporary cinema's most controversial artists is no mere provocation. It is a visually sublime, emotionally ravaging journey to the darkest corners of the possessed human mind: a disturbing battle of the sexes that pits rational psychology against age-old superstition; and a profoundly effective horror film.

108 minutes
Color/Black & White

Surround

2:35:1 aspect ratio

Criterion Release 2010

Director/Writer

Lars von Trier was 53 when he wrote and directed Antichrist.

Other von Trier films in the Collection:

#80/#1168a: The Element Of Crime (1984)

#1168b: Epidemic (1987)
#454/#1168c: Europa (1991)
#705: Breaking The Waves (1996)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Thirty-two page booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Ian Christie.

Commentary

Featuring von Trier and film scholar Murray Smith.

Video interviews

With von Trier and actors Dafoe and Gainsbourg.

Collection

Of seven video pieces delving into the production of Antichrist through interviews with von Trier and key members of his filmmaking team, as well as behind-the-scenes footage.

Chaos Reigns at the Cannes Film Festival

A documentary on the film’s world premiere, along with press interviews with Dafoe and Gainsbourg.

Theatrical trailers

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

99

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