Rupert reviews Lars von Trier’s controversial Antichrist.
So is it masterpiece or grot-shocker?
Not unsurprisingly, its the unsimulated sex and genital self-mutilation thats been grabbing the headlines.
Exploitative, grotesque, vaudevillian all indignation-fuelled adjectives levelled atAntichrist.
So what is it, masterpiece or grot-shocker?
Well, the truth isAntichristis neither.
Antichristreveals its modus operandi within the first few seconds, and with it the duality of the films motive.
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However, the infamous full penetration shot is totally unnecessary.
There is simply no need for it.
Von Trier has included it for no other purpose but to provoke a reaction.
If anything, it distracts from the overall resonance.
But that is the point.
Von Trier is mocking us.
Von Trier has accelerated this to terminal velocity.
The joke is on us were paying him for this experience.
However,Antichristremains visually stunning throughout.
The experience is like being asphyxiated in dense nightmares, and totally immersive.
The intense contradictions are everywhere in this film.
We forget sometimes that cinema can be challenging not everything we watch needs to conform to the rules.
Its and old postmodernist trick recycled for a desensitised audience.
Rating:
3 out of 5
