Directors’ Cup Voting, Round 1, Match 6: Lars von Trier (Antichrist) vs Eric Khoo (No Day Off)

“Thanks to all who approached Antichrist with an open mind, whether they voted for it or not.”

I’m hoping this catches on. Why did you choose Antichrist, and what would have been your next selections if von Trier had advanced?

Adam, yea I only see him assuredly winning with Breaking the Waves and maybe Dogville. The rest of his films would not stand a chance going up against the greats in the later rounds.

“The rest of his films would not stand a chance going up against the greats in the later rounds.”

Europa, Epidemic and Element of Crime are all superior to Dogville.

(his best “mainstream” IS Breaking the Waves anyhow)

however….i’m glad we had a second upset!!!!

It was an interesting choice, Adam. To me, it’s not even Trier’s most divisive film (I loathe Dancer in the Dark far, far more). It’s true that if you picked Europa or Elements of Crime, you would have had a smoother sail in the first round. If I had Trier, I would have probably picked The Idiots in the first round for fun (but that’s armchair coaching!). But much as I hated Antichrist, I’m glad I was finally forced to sit through it. It’s been sitting on my hard drive for months.

Europa is good but not as good as Dogville and I havent seen the other two…

Elements of Crime is awful but that’s beside the point. In order I would have used:

Europa
Dancer in the Dark
Breaking the Waves
Dogville

If he went further I’d have to try my luck with The Idiots and The Boss of it All

Element of Crime awful? it’s on my top 3 Von Trier…

The Idiots would have been a better first choice…

And I am “DIMMMITTTTTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSS” and I say it is SSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Waves, Europa, Dogville, Manderlay are all fantastic.

Dancer had one too many Bjork song in it. Yelch.

I’d consider Europa, Element of Crime, The Idiots, Breaking The Waves, and Antichrist all top tier.

for all those that said khoo was manipulative. dancer in the dark! i watched that at a bad time and i’ve never leaked out of every hole since. so glad that wasn’t chosen. i do love the 5 obstructions though…and the boss of it all. i wish lars would stick to light comedy.

but now, let’s see what Khoo saves for next!!!

i’m quite curious about 12 Storeys and My Magic.

I think it had six too many Bjork songs. I agree with Dimitris about Element of Crime I like Trier a lot before he decided that inflicting suffering on women would be the narrative arch of his life.

Don’t forget about “Medea”, guys. I think it’s among his visually most outstanding and emotional films, definitely my favorite by von Trier.

I don’t really consider The Five Obstructions to be Lar’s film though. I haven’t seen Medea.

The general consensus is that No Day Off is a manipulative film and yet it still wins because no one suffers crushed genitals. This is the kind of thing you study in college because it just doesn’t make any sense.

The Idiots is even worse than Antichrist! Jesus!

I adore Breaking the Waves though and love Dogville. Apathetic to The FIve Obstructions and still trying to figure out how I feel about Dancer in the Dark (amazing music, amazing central performance however at times downright absurdly scripted and even though I love it when art gives me a strong emotional reaction I’m not sure whether I want that whole raped and left in the alleyway feeling it gave me…)

You can never have too many Bjork songs. Never ever. Dancer In the Dark is Von Trier’s greatest film. I went in the cinema wanting to hate it, but fell in love with it. Idiots, Europa, Boss of It All, Breaking the Waves, Dogville all great films. Antichrist just doesn’t live up to them, but it could have been worse Manderlay could have picked. One of the biggest disappointments in history of cinema.

No Day Off is actually a highly superior film even to the U.S. trilogy parts. the only way Von Trier would have made the cut for me is to have used ANYTHING but the 2000’s….

i urge all to see Riget whatever the case may be, one of the best mini-series ever made, screw the Stephen King remake…

Thanks apursansar for bringing up Medea again. Medea seems to be Lars’ most easily forgotten film, but definitely doesn’t deserve to be so.

I guess this is why Trier is utterly impossible to win with. His best film for some is his most hated for others. And there’s no real consensus about what films of his are actually any good. Is there anyone who actually likes all of his films?

You can never have too many Bjork songs. Never ever.

Too true. Bjork is AMAZING! Pagan Poetry is to die for.

Haven’t seen Boss of it All, Medea or The Kingdom series. I’m not a big fan of Manderlay, or Epidemic, but I didn’t dislike them. Everything else I like.

No Day Off is a poor lesson in social filmmaking. It doesn’t work. Chaos does indeed reign.

let’s not “mourn” guys, girls about whether Von Trier had to pass or not.

what if Godard won’t be in the next round? it won’t be such a huge loss, haha.

Dim, can we guess your vote by who is the lesser known of the filmmaker in the competition?

Brakhage ;)

nah, kidding…

Dimitris is our own little Armond White!

I’ll just say I’m not looking forward to Khoo’s film in the next round. I can’t imagine it having any sort of imagination or style. (If it did it would be accused of being masturbatory.)