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Sorry, had to share this...

I've just seen for the very first time "Dogville". Which is really inexcusable given that I'm a great fan of Lars von Trier's other work.

This film has got to be the crown of his achievements in the sense that he managed to strip the medium bare of everything other than great acting and great photography. The film has no set in the traditional sense, it pretty much plays out on a floor plan. What sets it apart from a stage play, though, is its masterful photography.

It is sometimes difficult for the unexperienced observer (like me) to recognise some of the great shots because they pass by too quickly. However, thanks to pause and rewind one can indulge in examplary composition and lighting.

I have a feeling that I'm going to watch this movie a fair number of times over. It won't likely displace my LvT favourite, Dancer in the Dark, though. If only for the fact that the latter features my darling sweetheart Björk...

Cheers
Steffen.

Thanks for the heads up Steffen,

As a fan of "Dancer In The Dark" also I will be most curious.

Cheers,

Dancer in the Dark was a good movie, very much a European style. Bjork showed she is a talent other than being a great singer, songwriter and artist. I'm a fan.

Steffen - I have watched Dogville twice and although I can see the objective, I feel that small screen viewing does not do it justice. The same applied to Mishima and The Pillow Book - great on the big screen but claustraphobic on the small

I agree, a lot of movies work so much better on the big screen.

Cheers
Steffen.

Steffen,

Thanks again for the tip-off .... I bought the DVD and it appeals immensely.

For me there were shades of many things: Dylan Thomas's Milkwood, Kahlil Gibran's Orphalese and various aspects of Brecht and Beckett.

How many of the photographs - or indeed photographers - did you recognise during the closing credits? It was like a Who's Who of American social documentary photography of the last hundered years or more.

Cheers, PS: It is the foirst performance by the former Mrs. Cruise that has led me to believe she is the talent that people say she is. But then I don't see many movies and particularly American movies so perhpas i am sheltered from her power.