A Film Review

Two reviews in one day. I must be trying to avoid something. Actually I am. I start college next Tuesday and there will be no time to read books, watch great films and write about them afterwards.

A review of an amazing film.

Dogville


a film by Lars Von Trier

What if God does not forgive us? What if, faced with the death of his one and only son, he decides to judge and condemn rather than forgive? These are some of the key theological issues raised by Dogville a film by Lars von Trier.

These issues are played out among the people of a small, remote and poor town of Dogville. Set during the thirties depression.

A woman appears after the sound of gunshots to the town. She is reluctantly taken in and given refuge by the inhabitants. She offers to pay for their silence and support by doing jobs for each of them. Gradually each person gives her work to do. These are good days. It is summer and she is highly valued and respected by the town. But when the police arrive looking for her the townsfolk feel she should work harder. This changes the relationship between Grace – the woman – played by Nicole Kidman – and the townsfolk. And gradually she becomes more and more exploited, humiliated and enslaved. The men exploit her sexually, the women become jealous and torment and torture her. And then one begins to realise to be discovered by the police would save her. It is her that needs protection and not as we have been led to believe the townsfolk. We see how each relationship descends into exploitation and corruption. The man who loves her makes the final betrayal. He is the man that persuaded the town to take her in and so they give her up to the gangsters that came looking for her at the start of the film. And it is at this point that the film pulls into a higher gear and changes direction in a surprising, disturbing and provocative way.

So here is biblical allegory played out on a minimal and stark set that intensifies the action. It is not an easy film to watch. However it is brilliantly acted and compelling to watch – almost three hours long – one is riveted to the end.