lars von trier

Backstreet Abortion Onscreen: Stories of Solitary Struggle and Solidarity

Backstreet Abortion Onscreen: Stories of Solitary Struggle and Solidarity

Nymphomaniac II, Happening, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire depict backstreet abortion as either a solitary or collaborative experience among women.

The 20 Best DVDs of 2023

The 20 Best DVDs of 2023

In our Best DVDs of 2023 list, along with some classic television, we have selected known treasures and unconventional films to satisfy the discerning cinephile.

Lars Von Trier’s ‘Europa Trilogy’ Is Spellbinding, Hypnotic Melodrama

Lars Von Trier’s ‘Europa Trilogy’ Is Spellbinding, Hypnotic Melodrama

The three Lars Von Trier films in Criterion’s Europa Trilogy aim to hypnotize viewers with formal visual styles more important than the story, so they fly in the face of most Art House fare.

Evil Is Art, Murder Is Art, Torture Is Art: On Lars von Trier’s ‘The House that Jack Built’

Evil Is Art, Murder Is Art, Torture Is Art: On Lars von Trier’s ‘The House that Jack Built’

It isn't entirely irredeemable, but The House that Jack Built's familiar gimmicks say much more about Lars von Trier as a brand than as a provocateur or artist.

Authority Issues: Questioning Authorial Control in the Films of Lars von Trier

Authority Issues: Questioning Authorial Control in the Films of Lars von Trier

Lars von Trier’s reputation rests on his ability to create and shape narratives of control, but has this approach always proven successful?
40 Nights of Must-Watch Movies (in the Comfort of Your Home): The Franchise

40 Nights of Must-Watch Movies (in the Comfort of Your Home): The Franchise

Back by popular demand! Recommendations from “40 Nights of Must-Watch Movies” that will keep you, your dog and your elephant glued to the couch for months.

The Extended Director’s Cut of ‘Nymphomaniac’ Is the Must See Version

The Extended Director’s Cut of ‘Nymphomaniac’ Is the Must See Version

Lars Von Trier’s director’s cut of Nymphomaniac is as worthy of revisits as Josef von Sternberg’s Crime and Punishment or Joseph Strick’s Ulysses.

Von Trier’s Cinema as Literature in ‘Breaking the Waves’

Von Trier’s Cinema as Literature in ‘Breaking the Waves’

Lars Von Trier’s cinema, particularly in Breaking the Waves, is an acknowledgement of film as an offshoot of literature and the heritage of storytelling.
In ‘Nymph()maniac – The Director’s Cut’, More Actually Is More

In ‘Nymph()maniac – The Director’s Cut’, More Actually Is More

Even with all its XXX gimmickry, Nymph()maniac remains grounded in character. From someone like Von Trier, we'd expect nothing less, and we even get a lot more.
Films for Fans of Visionary Directors

Films for Fans of Visionary Directors

In film, "visionary" has become a marketing adjective, like "iconic". Here, on the matter of visionary directors, we separate the claret from the beaujolais, if you will.
‘Nymphomaniac: Vol. II’ Veers from Lust to Loss

‘Nymphomaniac: Vol. II’ Veers from Lust to Loss

Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac: Vol. II works well as a stand-alone film that veers from lust to loss, but it works better as a two-parter

Ranking the Greats: Lars Von Trier’s 10 Best Films

Ranking the Greats: Lars Von Trier’s 10 Best Films

Beloved and berated by film fans around the world. Yet these 10 examples explain why Lars Von Trier is among the artform’s best.