Melancholia

Beginning with a mysterious series of dream tableaux, von Trier’s fable offers his own, highly personal version of apocalypse: a celestial collision rendered in mesmerising imagination and Schopenhauer's pessimistic vision, accompanied by mighty blasts of Wagner music. As the grandiose wedding coincides with the impending doomsday, the calm Claire succumbs to anxiety and panic; but for her depressive sister Justine, the prospect of global annihilation is an ethereal relief. All-encompassing for its operatic cruelty, the metaphysical nature of the drama leaves space for gentleness and transcendence – and what Žižek said an ‘inner peace’ that makes it beautifully poetical.

Cannes Film Festival: Best Actress

Danish Film Awards: 10 awards including Best Film and Best Director

9/2 (Sun): Film talk with Long Tin