Lars von Trier Interview: Through the Black Forest
Ойын-сауық
A rare new interview with Europe’s groundbreaking film creator, Danish film director Lars von Trier, who is the recipient of the prestigious Sonning Prize 2018. Here he looks back at his work, talks about his forthcoming movie, and reveals his idea for a new series of small films. Finally he makes a comment on his controversial statement about Hitler in 2011.
When Lars von Trier makes his movies, he feels like an explorer, who has been dropped off on a deserted island, and who is told, that he must go east: “It doesn't’ make sense to change route because something looks more exciting. I have decided not to do that.” He wants to stick to his own path, his philosophy being that he makes movies that are otherwise never made: “They are missing, like when you have a constellation, and there is a star missing.” Making his most recent movie ‘The House That Jack Built’ (2018) was a hard-ship, and Trier found himself anxious and alcoholised, and thus decided that his next projects would be black and white ten-minute films called ‘etudes’, where he can test something, e.g. dramaturgy. By this, he is also attempting to reach complete sobriety, which is difficult “because alcohol is self-medicating, and, sadly, it’s insanely effective. The problem is that when the alcohol level drops, the anxiety hits you even harder.”
“I still feel the best about ‘Dogville’ because I think it’s just damn well written. Tarantino said that if I’d made it for the theatre, I would have won a Pulitzer.” Through the years, Trier has come to realise that it is the director - or the writer - who decides and who guides: “I believe that all good art is created under dicta-torial conditions. So people must enjoy being led. I’ve said earlier that it’s a black forest that people must go through, and they are scared to. But if they have a friend who says ‘I know the forest’, they will happily fol-low. And then they enjoy this black forest. And that’s my principle.”
“Of course I’m not a Nazi! ... I’d like to say absolutely unequivocally that I don’t approve of any of Hitler’s actions!” On the subject of ‘teasing’, Trier feels that he doesn't tease that much anymore due to “the whole Hitler affair.” He feels that the press conference, where he made his controversial remark about his admira-tion for Hitler, “was destroyed by the moderator because he didn’t let me clean up after myself.” When he said: “Well, okay then, I’m a Nazi” it had no more significance than when you are in a discussion with someone, who won’t give up and ultimately say: “I’ll let you be right if you leave me in peace.” Expanding on this, Trier continues by saying that it is, however, important that Hitler is humanized, because that means we can’t simply throw the case aside.
Lars von Trier (b.1956) is a Danish film director and screenwriter, whose prolific career spans almost four decades. His pivotal work is known for its technical innovation and examination of existential, social and political issues in movies such as ‘The Element of Crime’ (1984), ‘Europa’ (1991), ‘Breaking the Waves’ (1996), ‘The Idiots’ (1998), ‘Dancer in the Dark’ (2000), ‘Dogville’ (2003), ‘Antichrist’ (2009), ‘Melancholia’ (2011), Nymphomaniac (2013) and ‘The House That Jack Built’ (2018). He is also the creator of the TV series ‘The Kingdom’ (1994-1997) and one of the creators of the innovative Dogma 95 style manifesto (along with e.g. Thomas Vinterberg), which has since marked Danish and European film alike. Among his numerous awards at film festivals worldwide, Trier has received the Palme d’Or, the Grand Prix, Prix du Jury and The Technical Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as The University of Copenhagen’s DKK 1 million Sonning Prize 2018. In 2018 Brandt Museum in Odense, Denmark presents a major exhibition providing a retrospective overview of the work of Trier: ‘Lars von Trier - The good with the evil’. Trier is also the founder and shareholder of the international film production company Zentropa Films.
Lars von Trier was interviewed by Associate professor emeritus Peter Schepelern at the University of Copenhagen in April 2018 in connection with his reception of the Sonning Prize 2018 awarded by The University of Copenhagen - the biggest cultural award in Denmark given to an individual who has done commendable work for the benefit of European culture.
Produced by: University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet), 2018.
Supported by Nordea-fonden
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Пікірлер: 186
He has this perfect artist combination. great deal of sensitivity towards life, unrelenting awareness accompanied by guilt, a stern outer ego with a fragile inner humility and neverending yearning for a piece of meaning.he is a true master, a wonderful artist, rare to find nowadays.
@keyser9537
2 ай бұрын
He is the best. I can feel that the Hitler thing really hurt him, perhaps more than we can imagine. That was a very low point for Cannes.
It's painful to watch how the cruelty of modern mass media took a genius apart for a bad example he was trying to give, and never let him rehabilitate. People hear what they want to hear without aiming for understanding.
@thenickjones
4 ай бұрын
He clearly didn't mean what he said in the way it was taken by so many. Making him persona non grata over that really will be looked back at with shame down the road.
@PERSEUS-NIOR
Ай бұрын
you do know he has a history of being abusive towards actresses right? Sure I can sympathize with his mental health struggles it sucks I know makes you angry at everything knowing you cant be happy or at peace sure but that doesnt mean you get to be a jerk to others whatever he went through he did it to himself its not as if (as far as we know) he had an absuive childhood or anything
@Funkywallot
20 күн бұрын
@@PERSEUS-NIOR Probably a feminine way of retaliating feelings of perceived abuse and hurt feelings but dident actually happend any abuse to speak of other then heated discussions about the script or actors having "better ideas" then the director. In the case with Björk both partys dident liked eachother . Not surprising because Björk has a history of physical violence againt journalists without even prior warning. The only sane thing to assume is when two hotheads cross the line of decency, the male part always loses. All else is pure speculation
Aside from the genius commentary from VonTrier, can we also show some love to the interviewer with these amazing questions! So natural, calm, actually knows how to hold a conversation, not just asking formulaic questions.
@theofernandes3812
3 жыл бұрын
yeah, they've been friends for a long time
LvT is the most honest artist ive ever encountered.
@thebasedgodmax1163
5 жыл бұрын
how? he's insanely pretentious and up his own ass
@z0uLess
4 жыл бұрын
@@thebasedgodmax1163 because you get provoced by his honesty?
@thebasedgodmax1163
4 жыл бұрын
@@z0uLess do you mean provoked? and no, being pretentious and up your own ass are different from being honest. von trier is a pretentious dick. good filmmaker, but he's definitely up his own ass
@hashdealer8822
3 жыл бұрын
@@thebasedgodmax1163 How is he pretentious?
@thebasedgodmax1163
3 жыл бұрын
@@hashdealer8822 he’s extremely full of himself and self indulgent. i don’t even dislike him as a filmmaker but you can’t deny he doesn’t think extremely highly of himself as an artist
I love how honest he is!!! Trier was one of the only directors to make one excited about the ridiculous world of cinema for years. I hope that Mr Trier finds sobriety and keeps it. We would hate to lose him. A true artist. Imagine what his sober work would look like. I really hope he survives. Love you Mr von Trier! Thanks for this interview
I will never be grateful enough that you are a friend in this dark forest.
@lovethyneighbour8287
5 жыл бұрын
What a nice sentence.
Damn. Despite the feeling of awe going through your body watching von trier speaking, what you also want to do is to hug him and tell him that everything is going to be fine.
@paul958
4 жыл бұрын
@@nomad639 why u hate him so much? You can choose to hate his films instead.
@crappymcdick
4 жыл бұрын
@@nomad639 Didn't he also maybe take advantage on Bjork on the production on Dancer In The Dark
@z0uLess
4 жыл бұрын
@@nomad639 I identify very much with Lars. What is it that makes him such a terrible person? ask me anything.
@z0uLess
4 жыл бұрын
@@nomad639 its better to be an admitted manipulator than just a manipulator. his art gives insight into something that people have very little insight into. understanding depression is insanely important. your anger towards these darker corners of humanity is an anger towards yourself. lars is a humanist at core.
@z0uLess
4 жыл бұрын
@@nomad639 also, he makes me value my life and its misery -- my wisdom and experience. if anything, he shines light on something that kills so many people and make these people self-aware.
Thank you Lars Von Trier. You are the greatest!
@1292liam
6 жыл бұрын
pretentious, dodgy, seedy old man
@Vinavil1996
6 жыл бұрын
@1292liam ''The minor artists, who say very little about the world, think small and are therefore more faithful to the diversity inherent in everything. The great artists, however, impose their will and vision of the whole world. But it is this arrogance that helps the recipient to discover in everything what an observer - stuck in diversity and everyday life - can not see.'' - András Bálint Kovács
@1292liam
6 жыл бұрын
There's a bit more to it than that. Sounds like a nice quote anyway
So nice to see Lars again. Wise words from a true master. Looking forward to see The House that Jack built.
Not surprised he is most proud of Dogville, great unconventional film.
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
I think it's my "favourite" of his, even though it's a hard film to really like.
@samuelmercier3635
6 жыл бұрын
I have to rewatch it because so much little things annoyed me about this movie... it would actually be one of my least favorites so far
@s.a.l.1974
3 жыл бұрын
Antichrist and nymphomaniac pt.1 are my favorites of his
@lS-qp6zq
3 жыл бұрын
Made me weep. I seldom have that reaction when watching a film.
I love how honest Lars is.
What a splendid affair this was! Rather infatuated by the man's films, I should say. Lots of strength to the man! Cannot wait to see the Etudés, and the upcoming full feature in the theatre!
Wonderful Interview with very insightful questions and answers. Glad to hear something about Lars again. 5 years without a new Von Trier Movie is just too long.
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
I haven't looked forward to an LvT film in a while! Can't wait to see this.
I've been reading the comments. I'm very happy you guys appreciate this genius.
Certainly one of the most valuable and interesting directors in contemporary cinema .
wow ...thank you very much ... one of my very fave directors !
A truly genius, the best director ever!
The disciple of going East for art's sake takes a level of self-sacrifice, that unfortunately today has been scuttled. As opposed to the values fostered purely for profit. Lars Von Trier has been nurtured in the socially democratic Denmark, where the sensitive genius of his creativity is supported and thrives. It's an enviable country, with a great deal done well, yet so vehemently opposed by the corporate state dominating the Anglo American cultures.
@tomasosangmuir754
2 жыл бұрын
Agreed
Very good, in no small part due to the exceptional interviewer. Thank you.
Great interview. From a great director
Thank you.
Congratulations and respect for the artist. It is kind of a confession interview.:-) It is a perfect step before the storm with the premiere of The House That Jack Built. Let´s take a trip to the deep forest with Mr Lars. P.s. I recommend Deep forests in Poland.Trees are whispering a lot of legends and stories.
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
I haven't seen Jack yet but am looking forward to it and based on what I read/heard, this is a personal film - possibly even his last one, or at least a break - and he understandably has some anxiety about revealing himself like this. People making such mean and superficial comments against such honesty and judging him for "getting old" makes me feel even more for him. Comment like yours shows at least he is not completely misunderstood all the time.
@JoannaJStroz
3 жыл бұрын
@@andreafomasidirector Yes.
@JoannaJStroz
3 жыл бұрын
@@andreafomasidirector I love this interview:-) Well done. Stay safe and take care. Let me know, if we can find some cool ideas for the cooperation. Yours sincerely Jo
Making movies for tomorrow as well as today. Bravo!
He deserves to be such a braggart. Save for two films Dancer in the Dark and Boss of it All, and his TV work, I've seen all his body of work. So him adding more to that will very much appreciated knowing he's never a sell-out. This interview is criminally undertime.
Gracias por esta maravillosa entrevista.
I really hope he gets better.
Great interview, and good to see Lars growing his hair, I'm jealous!
"Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift." - Mary Oliver
This is a very unique director and i enjoy his though process and ideas in film good interview and thanks for the upload.
That was a really interesting interview, good job.
You are the best director.
I love this dude
Lars seems to ooze depression here, very absent
Loved this interview, thanks for posting. I haven't looked forward to an LvT film in a while but I can't wait to see Jack. And his etudes remind me of The Five Obstructions with Jorgen Leth, which is an underrated and inspiring gem of a film . Wish I could send some
The look on Lars favr when the interviewer asks seriously "when you look back at this house that youve built what are you most proud of?" The interviewer has clearly not seen the final house in The House that Jack Built yet 😅
''I believe that all good art is created under dictatorial conditions''
I hope he gets the psychiatric and addiction care he needs, we do not want to loose him.
@Danimal77
2 жыл бұрын
lose****
Grazie Maestro
Sad to see him like this.
THE GENIUS
When did he get so old?
@xO_oxDK
6 жыл бұрын
D Cls kinda backwards.... he's suffered from anxiety and ocd his entire life. And him being from a generation with too little knowledge and focus on it was prone to experience some anti social behaviour... Im not defending him doing anything towards women ( how many have reported him? I know Bjørk came forward...), but any kind of personality disorder untreated will have symptoms and symptoms that will affect the lives of other people. In short... he didnt get anxiety from treating women badly, if he at all did. Honestly I havent read enough to say that I think he did. Not in the Weinstein way anyways...
@prutgardin666
6 жыл бұрын
Only Bjørk reported him (she didn't mention him by name). Since Bjørk released a new album two weeks later, it was quickly dismissed as a publicity stunt.
@MrCFNA
6 жыл бұрын
the bjork thing is pathetic
@panterxbeats
5 жыл бұрын
"Since Bjørk released a new album two weeks later, it was quickly dismissed as a publicity stunt." lol good one
@omgsolikevalleygirl
5 жыл бұрын
it's the beard
2:34 My Ti/Si thoughts exactly 😮 I'm gonna use these lines for my interview .....Thanks Lars XD
Thank you, great interview. Ларс, давай завязывай с алкоголем.
starting to look like Haneke
@ericavila431
4 жыл бұрын
@Ujuani Abelsen Michael haneke
how many years have I slept
Lars von Trier's work will only be properly appreciated once he is dead, because in the current climate people feel that artist's are active predators, and only once the predator is inactive do the works stand on their own untainted by politics.
Lars Von Trier on being a Nazi: 'I could just as well have said that I was a blue caterpillar with a sunflower sticking out of my ass.' Brilliant! Looking forward to seeing 'Jack'
@shazid1891
3 жыл бұрын
@@andreafomasidirector yes
@shazid1891
3 жыл бұрын
@@andreafomasidirector I am danish🇩🇰 too. Fav Von Trier movie?
@shazid1891
3 жыл бұрын
@@andreafomasidirector cool. You have to of The greatest directors. Sergio Leone and Fellini.🙌 love them. My two favorites are Dogville and The House That Jack Built. What are your thoughts on them?
@shazid1891
3 жыл бұрын
@@andreafomasidirector like Antichrist too
He looks like some wise Orthodox monk.
I LOVE YOU!
great artist
He's not looking well...
@matiasocarez
6 жыл бұрын
He looks very anxious
@c.d.cabascangosanchez3687
6 жыл бұрын
Well. He is 61 years old.
@fourorthree2
6 жыл бұрын
He never did but then he doesn't want to either ;)
@KRAFTWERK2K6
5 жыл бұрын
@TheCund: Depressions does that to you. One of the things i can relate with Lars a lot.
@billt5410
3 жыл бұрын
He’s been drinking a bottle of vodka per day, and anti depressants.
excellent
Years have make him so wise that he is becoming Gandalf
I adore him
"Heading east...."
this is the most wonderful artis in the univers !
Sublime
"But precisely because virtual reality gives the spectator freedom - I don't think that is the way to make art. I believe that all good art is created under dictatorial conditions." I think it's safe to assume that he thinks video games can't be good art either.
Lars von Trier: Sober discussion on the critique of film Lars von Trier's Shirt: if you like pina coladas
Lars von Trier verdens bedste Filminstruktør total vilde og overraskende film 🏁🏁🏁🏁❤️❤️❤️❤️🇩🇰
LARS u ar the BEST \m/
We are a nation of drinkers, check out the danish "Druk" ("Another Round") to get the mentality ;-)
💙
can't believe the interviewer just let the topic of anxiety and alcoholism go after lars mentioned it
@DaniDogenigt
3 жыл бұрын
the danish way I guess. disrespectful to poke too hard at these subjects if the person doesn't elaborate.
Genio assoluto
He looked fine three days ago, what happened???
Am I the only one which LvT-Favorite is "Antichrist"?
Check out this funny Lars von Trier video: m.kzread.info/dash/bejne/iaaBsc5xZqXAobg.html
same desk lamp in the background as used in riget in all the bureaus...
Just as profoundly absurd as ever. Cannot wait for his next film
What's everyone's opinions on Björk's allegitions about him?
@keyser9537
2 ай бұрын
No one gives a shit. Thankfully.
I love Lars but he has got some Bruno S/Kaspar Hauser vibes with that hair
@CizzuCizzu
6 жыл бұрын
Is it a hairpiece?
@Velvet0Starship2013
6 жыл бұрын
I met Bruno S. more than once (even hung out in his flat/ studio, among his painting inventions); he looked much younger than LvT does here, even right before he died.
@k.e.anderson3485
6 жыл бұрын
DISCOGOTHTHEJAZZFAN im sure you did would love to hear more about this meeting with bruno if you can post here some stories, i was just saying lars' hairline is quite similar to Bruno s in the 70s
@Velvet0Starship2013
6 жыл бұрын
To be honest, I don't really have stories. Bruno was a friend of a guy who was a friend of mine at the time. This friend of mine was one of those aging Hipsters who collects quirky types like Bruno, who was an "outsider" Artist with gallery shows; Herzog had exploited Bruno but made him "famous", too. You could often see Bruno trudging along the sidewalks of Kreuzberg, looking like a cranky old man, which was exactly what he was, on one level. Once while listening to Bruno speak to this friend of mine, I remember thinking _"He got that mannerism from Bertolt Brecht!"_ but now I'm not sure why I thought that. Bruno died and this then-friend of mine attended the funeral (which was sparsely attended and fairly Herzogian). Years later, I told this friend to "fuck off"... the pretentious, delusional, hipper-than-thou front he maintained was unbearable! What a relief to be hipster-free! Laugh
what happened to him
He looks so tired. Alcoholism has ruin his health
wait.. what'd you mean you "don't have a twitter", sir? who the hell sends out those tweets?
We wonder what happen to him ? Some treatment may be. Hope u r fine Lars.
- It would be very interesting to see Lars in Conversation with Jordan Peterson.
A smart man makes a smart joke😁😁
i love all his movies, he is one of the last genius doing cinema these days, i mean CINEMA, talking about art...
Depressing!!
Please tell me this is Lar's Dad.
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
People age. What exactly are you expecting?
As a German, I understood some of the Danish. But then came the French, and the Indian 🙄
someone give the man a drink. He is shaking.
Kanye x Von Trier collab when
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
BARF
LVT
Wow! what's happened to him? he looks like he is 80 years old...
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
He looks like a 62 year old who is not trying to gym/tan/lipo/fake smile himself into looking younger. He looks like a depressed and anxious person dealing with those as well as self medicating with alcohol. All the comment about him looking so old are unkind and shows how out of touch a lot of you are.
@icinfin117
6 жыл бұрын
zapillofilms You sound faux concerned. It seems to be more about throwing insults around for you.
@hekoancien
2 жыл бұрын
The kind of fact and badness that made Lars Von Trier what it is. Are you proud of who you are ?
jæ tho æt men de her ska så tyeli at de vah så hæ
He’ll be accepted back to Cannes because no one will recognize him lol
how does he look so old, wtf
@ilqar887
3 жыл бұрын
And suddenly .it's a schock
Strange to think that such a weak mellow old man can create such evil meanspirited powerful pieces of art where people faint from violence on the screen. Not looking like a mastermind of evil-spirited manipulation at all.
Fuck, lars got old.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to check this guy's (Lars von Trier ) basement, preferably also under the floorboards
New films is now remaking histories and history.
Shit what happened to him??? Fifteen years in five years...
@mrhc
5 жыл бұрын
I bet this movie really got in to him, really fucking dark stuff + alcohol + depression + natural aging... if he shaved his head and his beard he wouldn't look that much older than 5 years ago - a different style.
lovely guy but probably only on the screen :)
Does he has Parkinson?
@anzedanzedyr
6 жыл бұрын
Christiane Smith no, I think the tremor is because of alcohol withdrawl.
@1chienandalou
6 жыл бұрын
Or essential tremor. You can't tell from a video - even I as a neurologist would refrain from making armchair diagnoses and so many laypeople think its OK. You can have an opinion but perhaps consider if it is an informed one before commenting publicly. It's just uncalled for and unkind. Just my 2 cents.
Why that language is in Scottish accent!