Has Lars von Trier Directed His Last Film?
Danish director Lars von Trier has revealed he takes no pleasure in filmmaking, and isn't sure whether he can continue to create movies after a period of depression.
"You can't make a film and be depressed at the same time," he said in an interview published Saturday in the Politiken newspaper."They say that it can take a couple of years to recover after a depression. But let us see."
Von Trier, who directed Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark starring the singer Bjork and 2003's Dogville starring Nicole Kidman, says the depression has left him "like a blank sheet of paper," losing focus and initiative.
"It's very strange for me, because I've always had at least three projects in my head at one time," said the 51-year-old filmmaker, who was admitted to a Danish hospital at the beginning of this year for treatment.
Von Trier said he's due to begin work in a few months on a horror movie, called Antichrist, but isn't sure whether he can get it started. Antichrist depicts Satan, not God, as the world's creator.
I hope this isn't the end for Von Trier. He is one of my very favorite directors. I had the privilege of attending the East Coast premiere of his latest film, The Boss of it All at the RiverRun International Film Festival last month, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It demonstrated a rare light comedic touch for Von Trier, his depression hasn't affected his skill.
Antichrist sounds interesting, but I'm especially concerned about Wasington, the third part of his America: Land of Opportunities trilogy that began with his masterpiece Dogville, followed by Manderlay a few years later.
Von Trier is too good a filmmaker to lose. Here's hoping he recovers quickly and returns to what he does best. Cinema just wouldn't be the same without him.
The Boss of it All will be released in select cities on May 25. Click here to read my review.
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