Lars Von Trier Begins Filming ‘Melancholia,’ Reveals Vague Plot Details
We’ve known very little aboutMelancholia, the next film fromLars Von Trierand the follow-up to his festival firebrandAntichrist. He’s promised “no more happy endings” and the film has been called a “psychological disaster movie,” but beyond that we’ve had almost nothing to go on.
Melancholiarecently began production, and Trier held a press conference to mark the occasion. While he stopped short of handing out copies of the script to the audience, the director did give out a few details.
“There is a wedding and melancholia, but I don’t want to say any more than that,” Von Trier told the press, as transcribed byDear Cinema. He explained that the characters played byAlexander SkarsgårdandKirsten Dunstwill marry, then experience a ‘dramatic’ end to their union. Other character details include the fact thatCharlotte Gainsbourgplays Dunst’s sister andJohn Hurtplays their father.Stellan Skarsgårdplays either the father or best man for his son’s character.
Kiefer Sutherland, who seems to be the male lead, said “my character represents what is right, while Kirsten Dunst represents what is left. There is an important balance in the film.” Sutherland also commented upon Von Trier’s style, saying that he loves "
filming ‘live’, without any rehearsals."
Dunst also commented on Trier’s filming methods, saying that “Lars instructs without [rehearsal] and it gives real things life. This is a continuing challenge for myself and with the material. [There’s] poetry in the way he tortures women.” (That line comes from atranslated Danish report, viaThe Playlist, so while that line about torturing women is provocative, it may not be 100% accurate.)
Also from the translation is Trier’s joking comment that the film “looks like shit.” He added, “No, I hope not. But it is certainly a little uglier than the previous one.” Cinmatographer Manuel Alberto Claro said, " He finds an energy in the scenes before and make up with photographic aesthetics. It suits me fine." He continuted, “all are on to improvise and take it from the hip. Each day we begin without instruction, and are then given instructions along the route. The actors are completely wild and very sweet and well prepared.”
