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Dancer In The Dark

— Director: Lars Von Trier Denmark et al, 2000 Only a bunch of die-hards could create this kind of electrifying cinema and Von Trier’s shoots are famously uncomfortable affairs. Perhaps that’s…”

• Director: Lars Von Trier
• Denmark et al, 2000
• 

Only a bunch of die-hards could create this kind of electrifying cinema and Von Trier’s shoots are famously uncomfortable affairs. Perhaps that’s the key to the unique performances he gets, this time from a superb cast led by Bjork.

Coming right after the disturbing intensity of Dogme 95 swansong The Idiots and just before his richly bleak warehouse plays Dogville and Manderlay, Dancer is another fine addition to the Danish director’s oeuvre.

All this and yes, the movie is a musical. But even if Von Trier’s representation of the genre cops out (by creatively avoiding any drama-killing spontaneous songbursts), slavish adherence would have broken the edgy, delicate rhythm that keeps it all together.