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Dancer in the Dark
Lars von Trier’s unique and divisive dissection of the American Dream, featuring Björk as an immigrant worker finding escape in musical cinema.
Director: Lars von Trier
Overview
Selma, a Czech immigrant working in a rural American factory, is slowly losing her sight. Having inherited the same condition, her young son faces the same fate without an expensive operation. Selma’s only escape is through Hollywood-style musical daydreams, providing moments of joy and release. But when a neighbour falsely accuses her of theft, Selma’s life unravels towards a tragic conclusion.
Like much of Lars von Trier’s work, Dancer in the Dark is both emotionally raw and deeply divisive. Centred around an extraordinary performance from Björk, the film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and sparked intense debate – hailed by some as a stunning dissection of the American Dream, condemned by others as manipulative and harsh. Allegations of sexual harassment on set, along with the misogynistic tone of several leading reviews, further complicates the film’s legacy. Yet its power is undeniable: combining human suffering with moments of transcendent musical beauty rare in modern cinema.
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