Nymphomaniac: Volume I
Dir: Lars von Trier
2014
*****
Nymphomaniac. The synopsis says: A self-diagnosed nymphomaniac recounts her erotic experiences to the man who saved her after a beating. This is essentially what the films are but this is merely the basis for what is an essay on society. Sex is everywhere in society, 'Sex sells' as they say, so it's the perfect focal point to begin the discussion. Everything can be compared to sex and everything comes back to sex. Indeed, we are all here because two people had sex. So when is sex wrong, when are we wrong and why are some of us more wrong than others. Once again, Lars von Trier flips what is regarded as correct on it's head. Triers film are provocative but those who are most offended are generally the ones who are least open to discussion. Nothing is shock for shock sake, everything has a reason. From the outset, a beautiful lit scene of snow falling in silence is followed by the deafening sounds of Führe mich by Ramstein. If it doesn't fit it is because you don't think it does, not because it is fact. I saw this in quite a prestigious London cinema that was full of young trendies and older arty types and judging by their reactions (of laughter during quite serious scenes) I get the feeling that the film with go misunderstood for quite a while. Anti-Christ got awful reviews on release, now it is looked on favorably by critics, I guess it's something to do with Trier, a misconception, maybe we're watching different films as this all seems quite obvious to me. You're enjoyment will depend on how much you want to be challenged during a film and how open to discussion you are. The two films need to be watched back to back to be appreciated fully, the first chapter is about youth, the naive part. The second film is adulthood and self-retribution among other themes.