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The road to Manderlay

Film // Jim // 4th March 2006

At long last, Lars von Trier's Manderlay is out in the UK. But if you are planning to go and see it, act quickly because I doubt it will be around for long. That is if you are able to find somewhere showing it. Although the film is on release from yesterday, unless you happen to live in London, screenings are few and far between.

For all you Midlands dwellers, the only place showing the film around here is the Cineworld on Broad Street in Birmingham and that is not until March 24th.

I would certainly recommend taking the time to track it down though as the indications are that it will be well worth the effort. The middle part of a potential trilogy (following Dogville) the film delves further into the dark heart of human nature and satirises more of what von Trier sees as American foibles. This time the continuing character, Grace, attempts a bit of regime change in a town where slavery is still enforced. With, I imagine, unforseen and not all together successful results.

The film is shot in the same style as Dogville (ie on a blank soundstage with few props and little scenery), which previously added an unreal quality to the bleak drama as it unfolded. John Hurt also returns to provide the god-like narration.

You can find more details on the Manderlay web site, which also houses the trailer.