Lars Von Trier Is Back!
He is one of the most mesmerizing and polarizing Directors working today…and he has a provocative new film about to be released.
Here is the very NSFW trailer for “Nymphomaniac”:
A Two-Part “Nymphomaniac!”
Magnolia Pictures has just announced the release plans for this “sure to be controversial” new film…von Trier has cut his work into two separate movies! The first, “Nymphomaniac: Part One”, will open in theaters March 21 – after premiering On Demand March 6. “Nymphomanic: Part Two” will be released On Demand April 3, followed by an April 18 theatrical release.
“Nymphomaniac: Part One” is the story of Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac who is badly beaten and left in an alley. She’s helped by an older bachelor, Seligman (Stellan Skarsgård), who takes her into his home. As he tends to her wounds, she recounts the erotic story of her adolescence and young-adulthood.
This film stars Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Uma Thurman, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Connie Nielsen and Udo Kier.
“Nymphomaniac: Part Two” focuses on Joe’s adulthood, and stars Jamie Bell, Willem Dafoe, Mia Goth and Jean-Marc Barr in addition to Gainsbourg, Skarsgård, Martin and LaBeouf.
Lately, a series of provocative posters have been released as well, highlighting not only the all-star cast involved, but some of their most “intense” looks – here is Shia Lebouef:
Also in the film is Willem Dafoe, who previously starred in Von Trier’s brilliant “Anti-Christ”, another very controversial film:
Uma Thurman is also in “Nymphomaniac”:
Thurman’s character seems to be having a problem in her marriage – here is a clip that was released teasing her storyline, called:
“The Whoring Bed!”
Nymphomaniac appetizer – Chapter 3: Mrs. H
Here is another clip from the film as well:
Nymphomaniac appetizer – Chapter 1: The Compleat Angler
Charlotte Gainsbourg, who also starred in Von Trier’s “Anti-Christ”, is in this film, along with Christian Slater…and here is a clip with Shia Leboeuf:
Nymphomaniac appetizer – Chapter 2: Jerôme
As you can see, this is going to be quite a film – Von Trier has a very controversial career, with acclaimed movies like “Melancholia”, alongside very edgy films like “The Idiots”…and such masterpieces as “Anti-Christ” and “Dancer In The Dark” with Bjork…here is that trailer:
“Dancer In The Dark” stars Bjork in her film debut – as a young Mother who has emigrated to America, works in a factory, and is going blind. And the only thing that keeps her spirits up is when she finds solace in musicals…
Yes, it’s a musical! Catherine Deneuve and David Morse also star – and when the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, it took the festival by storm, winning Bjork best Actress and Von Trieer best film – the coveted Palm D’or award…
There were many stories about the difficulties von Trier had with Bjork on set – specifically the musical scenes, but at the end of the day, it was a triumph for both of them…
My Von Trier Exclusive!
I was in Cannes that year, overseeing E!’s festival coverage, and I got the only US TV interview with the Director. We always covered the smaller films, and that helped us get big interviews…I also did the only US TV interview in 1992 in Cannes with Director Baz Luhrmann – and also with a first-time Director named Quentin Tarantino…
My previous coverage of other von Trier films helped me get the exclusive TV conversation with the Director – and it was his first time ever in Cannes…
This was von Trier’s first time ever at the film festival – he had an aversion to travel, so he didn’t attend for his earlier efforts, “Breaking The Waves” or “The Idiots.”
He was in a very playful mood that day, funny, self-deprecating, and very passionate about film making. He admitted to me that he came to make sure the film had a shot at an award, since the festival had a reputation for not giving the “Palm d’Or” Award for best picture to any Director who didn’t show up for the festival…
Quiet Down, Bjork!
He also told me that his feud with Bjork was overblown by the Actress, and that he was only trying to get a great performance out of her…
While he tried to downplay the controversy stirred up by Bjork, he also clearly liked the attention, and he was right in the end, as Bjork won Best Actress in Cannes…and the film took home the prize for best picture.
A few years earlier, I interviewed a very young Emily Watson in Cannes for “Breaking The Waves” when the film created a sensation at the festival. Watson won best actress, and was subsequently oscar nominated as well, but that year, Von Trier didn’t make it to Cannes – due to his aversion to travel – and the film won the Grand Prize – also known as the “runner up” award…
“Breaking The Waves” is a brilliant, challenging film – here is a look at this masterpiece:
Breaking The Waves – Directed by Lars Von Trier – released in 1996
Emily Watson was Oscar nominated for Best Actress – for her portrayal of Bess, a woman who makes the ultimate sacrifice for the man she loves. Warning: this isn’t an easy film to watch, but it is BRILLIANT! Check out the trailer:
Here is how IMDB describes the film: “Drama set in a repressed, deeply religious community in the north of Scotland, where a naive young woman named Bess McNeil meets and falls in love with Danish oil-rig worker Jan.
Bess and Jan are deeply in love but, when Jan returns to his rig, Bess prays to God that he returns for good.
Jan does return, his neck broken in an accident aboard the rig. Because of his condition, Jan and Bess are now unable to enjoy a sexual relationship and Jan urges Bess to take another lover and tell him the details. As Bess becomes more and more deviant in her sexual behavior, the more she comes to believe that her actions are guided by God and are helping Jan recover.
Bess McNeill: “I don’t make love with them, I make love with Jan and I save him from dying.”
Emily Watson gives one of the most honest, uncompromising performances as a woman who believes she will heal her husband – and makes the ultimate sacrifice in order to do so.
Kudos To Lars Von Trier!
This is a controversial movie, part of Von Trier’s obsession with women who make sacrifices for a greater good – see “Dancer In The Dark” and from last year, “Melancholia”. He is a brilliant director, and the ending of the film is amazing…
Check out all of von Trier’s previous films, and I cannot wait for “Nymphomaniac” in all of its parts! Check out this amazing website for the film!
http://www.nymphomaniacthemovie.com/
