Chaos Reigns
October 26th – November 1st
Antichrist - Perhaps it’s not a movie to enjoy or one that entertains in the Hollywood sense, but it is quite interesting nevertheless. And that is more than enough. Add to that a cinematic aesthetic that is often gorgeous but also sometimes repulsive and you’ve got something definitely worth watching. Some of the critical buzz seems to almost discount the film, and its director Lars von Trier, because of its alleged misogyny. I think dismissal is wrongheaded. The film contains many things. Misogyny is surely one of them.
I also wasn’t as shocked as I expected to be. Having read some of the critical conversation, I was prepared for the graphic imagery. But it wasn’t near as bad as I was expecting. And while I had also heard about the talking fox, I didn’t find the shot funny. I found it quite disturbing and sad. That being said, if I’d seen it in a theatre the herd mentality would probably have induced a laugh. I understand where the laughter and the claims of misogyny come from, I just don’t happen to buy into them quite yet.
After only one viewing, I’m conflicted about it. I would have to see it multiple times in order to offer any interpretation as to its meaning. Whether or not von Trier has approached Bosch or simply aims to provoke remains to be seen.
