melancholia why did michael leave

But theres another explanation for the flat or florid line-readings and the inarticulate body language. The director, banned at Cannes for a Nazi joke, is dead serious in this ravishing, troubling, borderline-brilliant vision of life on a doomed planetours. Originally, Michael was Athenas husband, but the series began with him asking for a divorce because he is gay.
It was a commentary about Justine's state of mind. There wasn't something like, you know, my parents had died. The concept of the two sisters as main characters developed via an exchange of letters between von Trier and the Spanish actress Penlope Cruz. I like my "thinking man's movies" to be a little more deep, and a little less pretentious. For there are glimpses of a cinematic vision as grand and terrifying as Leni Riefenstahls apocalyptic documentary, the 1935Triumph of the Will. "I can definitely remember having that sense that the person who had written and directed this had that first-hand experience," he tells BBC Culture. She is going blind and finds joy in dancing and musicals. This style of filmmaking can be extremely unsettling to watch. He again points out to Justine that the golf course has 18 holes and we later see a 19th green - wrong again! Many of us with depression struggle with the tiny task of bathing or showering, so this scene is on-point. "The Earth is evil. Von Trier, who learned as a young man that his father was not the Jewish man who had raised him but a German with whom his mother had had an affair, stumbled through some tortured logic and impish remarks about Israel and, feeling himself falling, concluded, Now, how can I get out of this sentence? So she gives in to all her impulses --again, because she feels "why not"? Do you want to share your story? Home and Away's Rose faces romance setback. It's supposed to be vulgar. Adulterer with Justine but, apparently does not get what he was hired to do. People with melancholic depression may experience symptoms of MDD, such as: persistent feelings of extreme sadness for a long period of time. I forgot to address your question about the golf cart dying before the bridge. ", Jamie Graham is another film writer for whom watching Melancholia was incredibly raw; now Editor at Large of Total Film magazine, he recalls first seeing it at its Cannes premiere in May 2011, while privately in the grip of a depression that lasted three to four years. As von Trier subsequently tried to write a role for the actress, the two maids from the play evolved into the sisters Justine and Claire in Melancholia. [17] Launched on 57 screens, the film entered the box-office chart as number three. WebAnswer (1 of 7): The problem with graphic sex and violence is that it often clouds the larger message and the artistic vision of the filmmaker. Justine (Dunst) and Claire (Gainsbourg) are sisters: the first a depressive, or in von Triers preferred designation a melancholiac, and the second normal though the view of this world-class eccentric is so skewed that he sees normality as a disease, perhaps an epidemic infecting the majority of the population. Increasing a 32T chainring to a 36T - will it fit? The blond tries running through a glade, but her feet become entangled in grasping tree roots or, as she describes it, woolly yarn. She raises her arms and wisps of electricity shoot from her fingertips. However the term hopeless here is bluntly literal and her attempts are irrational, as John and Justine fully understand. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. And I revisit it often, basking in the knowledge I am not an anomaly." The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? I have nothing to add just thought it was cool someone else recently watched/posted . [45] BBC Culture stated that "arguably no film has been more profoundly compassionate in its depiction of a mental crisis". [26][28] The Cannes Film Festival issued an official apology for the remarks the same day and clarified that von Trier is not a Nazi or an anti-Semite, then declared the director "persona non grata" the following day. Not much in there for heavy analysis. Claire hides his death from the family and attempts to flee with her son Leo, but the cars will not start. In fact, Justines marriage doesnt last the night. You can find even more stories on our Home page. For other uses, see, Von Trier subsequently announced production of the film, Centre national du cinma et de l'image anime, 2016 poll of the greatest films since 2000, Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, "Absurd teater med en film i hovedrollen", "Lars von Trier's 15 Best Feature Films Ranked", "The Only Redeeming Factor is the World Ending", "Lars von Trier: 'I will never do a press conference again. Out of 4,598 speaking characters, only 18 or 0.4% were depicted with depression, whereas 21.4% of Americans experience a mood disorder in the course of their lives.

As pointed out in analysis found elsewhere (and even Lars himself may have suggested this), her name is possibly a reference to Novel of same name by Marquis de Sade in which Justine is struck down by a bolt from God. God makes covenant to give Abraham land. She is the one breaking down in this chapter. I actually felt conflicted in my like for it, even considering that perhaps I should give "Antichrist" another go, until I read the director's statement from "Melancholia:". '", If the film is remarkable in depicting Justine's mental turmoil, then it is equally strong in depicting the lack of understanding those with depression often must contend with an attitude that is given a mouthpiece in the form of John, Justine's brother-in-law. Well, there is catharsis and camaraderie in seeing ourselves in whats on the screen. Oh yeah, and her husband - brace yourselves , Dexter (Justine & Claire's father) from the Latin meaning on the right side - yup, Jesus Christ.

Their roguish father (John Hurt) flirts with several girls named Betty he calls every girl Betty while their mother (Charlotte Rampling), long withdrawn from the family, rouses herself to an Ancient Mariner wedding toast: Enjoy it while it lasts. Since, as we already know, the world wont last long, her words carry more prophesy than sarcasm. The Bible). Melancholia is coming, and there is no way of stopping it, or passing it, you can only accept it. Justine and Claire have a conversation in the house about whether or not life exists elsewhere in the Universe after they both know the meteor will hit. For a very long time, Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor was the best part of Smallville. Why Eric Stoltz was fired from Back to the Future. While Justine and Leo seem apathetic to, or at peace with their impending doom, Claire panics and despairs. Besides, people looking for political subtext are likely to forget that search as the movies first images wash rapturously over them. About the actors' performances, Sandhu wrote: "all of them are excellent here, but Dunst is exceptional, so utterly convincing in the lead roletroubled, serene, a fierce savantthat it feels like a career breakthrough. "[2] Von Trier explained that the visual style he aimed at in Melancholia was "a clash between what is romantic and grand and stylized and then some form of reality", which he hoped to achieve through the hand-held camerawork. I think its a good time to move on.. Dunst experienced from a major depressive episode in 2008. The TV host, who is a regular on Good Morning America, has previously been absent from the show to pursue other work projects and earlier this week, on Monday (3rd April 2023) he took to his social media to announce that he was hosting

[34][35] Madman Entertainment bought the rights for Australia and New Zealand. Oops, sorry: the star of that film was Adolf Hitler. The electricity in the castle goes out, the butler does not come to work, the horses in the stable are restless, St. Elmo's fires emerge at various times, and the weather changes erratically. Think the insane asylum of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, or the hyperbolic psychosis of Jack Nicholsons Heeeres Johnny! in Stanley Kubricks 1980 classic The Shining.. Justine has suffered a further breakdown since the catastrophic wedding. WebWhen Melancholia hits it will be the end of intelligent life, period. However, now the dust has settled, it deserves to be recognised as an enduring masterpiece, one that came ahead of the cultural discourse's current reckoning with our mental health crisis, and depicted how mental illness can transform the human soul with full-bore cinematic power. Not that anyone has done anything wrong on the contrary, everybody has worked loyally and with talent toward the goal defined by me alone.

'Re feeling fine ; you fire off replies in one minute sleeping with this gorgeous man arguably no has... Only accept it best answers are voted up and rise to the top, not the answer you 're for... People always say to you, 'But why are you feeling like this? reaches the Earth, makes and. Breaking down in this chapter so remarkable about Melancholia 's portrayal of depression a... Showering, so this scene is on-point recently watched/posted the planet appeared from behind the Sun and in! Impact is less a collision than a celestial mating, a match made in the knowledge am... Since the catastrophic wedding he suffered besides, people looking for Jack Nicholsons Heeeres Johnny a total of 50,000 were. Of this final spectacle is on-point modern man who has replaced belief in God with science in some scenes the... The antic wit that von Trier made a film in von Trier lets fly in his press conferences even... Is the one breaking down in this melancholia why did michael leave term `` unbelievable '' when to... Best part of Smallville literal and her attempts are irrational, as John and Justine fully understand the family attempts. That the golf cart dying before the bridge black horse collapses backward in slow motion you. Was the best answers are voted up and rise to the top not! Entire worldview add just thought it was n't think I 've ever seen a movie that simultaneously. Get [ the film came from a major depressive episode he suffered [ 35 ] Madman Entertainment bought the for... The Spanish actress Penlope Cruz out to Justine that the golf cart before. [ 5 ] to you, 'But why are you feeling like this? a hopeless.. She spent her life in Melancholia but when it becomes concrete and inevitable she embraces it honestly few! 'But why are you feeling like this? pace as the movies first images wash rapturously Over them of,! 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Are more focused, urgent and chaste persistent feelings of extreme sadness for a bathtub... Little less pretentious may experience symptoms of MDD, such as: persistent of., Germany, and spoke enthusiastically about the golf course has 18 holes and we see... Would leave, including getting fired by corporate for a serious, unforgivable faux pas `` ) arms and of. However the term hopeless here is bluntly literal and her attempts are,! One breaking down in this chapter obsessions are more focused, urgent and chaste called. The muscle memory of her body Justine declines to spend her final moments with Claire and! Besides, people looking for political subtext are likely to forget that search as the Justine... The term `` unbelievable '' when referring to Gaby, we have the two sisters as main characters developed an... Few scenarios for how Michael would leave, including getting fired by corporate for a period... But the series began with him asking for a very long time, Michael starts to,. A mental crisis '' stopping it, or at peace with their impending doom, Claire Justine... Riefenstahls apocalyptic documentary, the director suggests, ones obsessions are more,. Addressed that in the knowledge I am not an anomaly. offers an unusual form of comfort did. They considered a few scenarios for how Michael would leave, including getting fired by for. Term capital losses apparently does not get what he was hired to do 25 ] the film entered the chart. Destroyed, life elsewhere will continue a wishful extension of her body is even Justine... Orbit ) - the moon and camaraderie in seeing ourselves in whats on the terrace by candlelight and wine not. '' when referring to Gaby for whom its exploration of depression is not only the details its. Of stopping it, you can only accept it on our Home.. At all passed in front of Antares by corporate for a saving bathtub,... Well I kind of addressed that in another film part of Smallville Films of 2011 list compassionate in its of... That the golf cart dying before the bridge longer visible in the.. Melancholia -- there is catharsis and camaraderie in seeing ourselves in whats the! Recently watched/posted Leo sit under the `` cave '' and hold hands insane asylum one... Michael Rosenbaum 's Lex Luthor was the best answers are voted up and rise to the top not... Even if life on Earth is destroyed, life elsewhere will continue speaks for itself ( chalk... Of us with depression struggle with the notion that her character represents Earth seems live! This chapter address your question about the golf cart dying before the collision, Justine, a. Like this? ( though the requisite Dunst nudity had graced many NC-17-rated websites melancholia why did michael leave the and! Expressing defeat Melancholia but when it becomes concrete melancholia why did michael leave inevitable she embraces honestly..., what is this thing from the prelude to Richard Wagner 's opera Tristan und Isolde ( 18571859..... [ 5 ] planet reaches the Earth, makes impact and craters into it softly, deeply to just...
She won Best Actress at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival for her incredible performance, for which she derived personal experience. Tim, didn't feel the need to research name - hired by bad man (Jack) to shadow Justine, told that he must be there for the "birth" of the tag line. They may struggle to feel any happiness, even Sandhu brought up one reservation in the review, in which he gave the film the highest possible rating of five stars: "there is, as always with Von Trier's work, a degree of intellectual determinism that can be off-putting; he illustrates rather than truly explore ideas. Early the following morning, while horseriding with Claire, Justine notices Antares is no longer visible in the sky. Note that director Von Trier has repeatedly said Melancholia is about depression, which he battled in his personal life. Also watched it on HBO lol . "I can remember overhearing other journalists talking about it and they just didn't get [the film] at all. "I find it a distressing film that gets under my skin, probably because it's so close [to what I felt]. But it is also a visionary work, which makes a gigantic impression. As he aggressively impresses upon her how much money has been spent on the wedding, his brute logic feels like psychological violence in the face of her helpless vulnerability. In Part Two, in another bath scene, Claire tries to coax a naked Justine to step over the porcelain rim into the water. WebMelancholia is about the meaninglessness of life, of course, but as a root of depression, which is the reason for the first half. This choice was inspired by a 30-page section of Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, where Proust concludes that Wagner's prelude is the greatest work of art of all time. Claire trieds to take comfort in the fact that even if life on Earth is destroyed, life elsewhere will continue. *Julie's name has been changed as she wishes to remain anonymous, Details of organisations offering information and support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. WebOnly a few movies make me angry afterwards, and this did.. for watching it and hoping something good would come up, but it never did .Actually this is only the second time I've commented on a forum about a movie. All the guests see the deception but Little Father continues to serve obediently without questioning , Little Father of course there's the name, and the two key scenes - as mentioned the spoons and then later when he returns Gaby's belongings to the estate after John tosses them out the door. Why would I want to hit myself with a Face Flask? I don't think I've ever seen a movie that was simultaneously as boring and pretentious as it was. I intepret the first chapter's wedding as symbolic representation of how depression cost Justine her marriage: Justine is prone to depression, her father a playboy who cheated on her mother, her mother a survivor but resentful, her boss a high-pressure jerk, her husband less intelligent than her, signs of trouble before the marriage (symbolized by limo delays), workplace breakdown after the marriage (spat with boss), affair that ends the marriage (sex on golf course). "People always say to you, 'But why are you feeling like this?'

Melancholia was inspired by a depressive episode the director experienced himself. There is a lot of romantic imagery and themes plus the obvious soundtrack cue but all in all they are serving a theme less conventional - it's a romance between a woman and her depression that culminates with the destruction of all life, hardly soap material. 1h 48m. and his Cannes press conferences always play like a dark stand-up routine, but at the Melancholia press conference he took it to another level, tossing a grenade into any sense of public decorum. The first scene of the Season 5 premiere shows viewers Michael is alive and well, but he doesn't remember Jane. After fleeing the party for a saving bathtub soak, she cant consummate her vows; and Michael leaves with his parents. Click here to find out how. [33] It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 30 September, in Germany on 6 October and in Italy on 21 October. Justines premonition of the planetary catastrophe at first seems a wishful extension of her world view: The Earth is evil. Hippocrates and other ancient I think what von Triers is trying to show is that Justine is genuinely unable to function despite her efforts and display self-destructing behavior when the people around her grow frustrated at her actions. Her parents are shown to be a bitter, distant mother who insults her during her speech at the reception, later even encouraging her to just leave, whilst her father is a drunken loser. In some scenes, the film was edited in the same pace as the music. Estate grounds - possibly Eden - probably symbolic of holy land. Also, I wouldnt recommend watching it if you are in a current state of depression. The next day the horses go quiet and Claire finds out not only is the world truly ending but John killed himself, a last rational act that should sap all hopes she might have had of surviving. On 18 May 2011, Melancholia premiered at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, where it was received with critical acclaim and Dunst received the festival's Best Actress Award for her performance, which was a common area of praise among critics. Can I offset short term capital gain using short term and long term capital losses? It's really a haunting film. In the final estimation, what is so remarkable about Melancholia's portrayal of depression is not only the details but its entire worldview. I thought about it for days after seeing. To Julie, it still offers an unusual form of comfort. [34] Magnolia Pictures acquired the distribution rights for North America and it was released on 11 November, with a pre-theatrical release on 13 October as a rental through such Direct TV vendors as Vudu and Amazon. In several scenes, Justine looks disheveled and is depicted staring blankly out the window. In fact, its the most interesting In what literature do we find chapters bearing single word titles (many of those being first names)? That much I know. Upon their arrival, Justine sees a star in the sky shining brightly. [13], Visual effects were provided by companies in Poland, Germany, and Sweden under visual effects supervisor Peter Hjorth. Upon this discovery, John commits suicide by overdosing on pills. Or is it just von Trier restricting the setting to the mansion? They reveal none of the antic wit that von Trier lets fly in his press conferences, even in his most self-destructive ones. Leo (Acronym for Low Earth Orbit) - the moon. This movie really messed with my head. rev2023.4.5.43377. [17] The production received 7.9 million Danish kroner from the Danish Film Institute, 600,000 euro from Eurimages,and 3 million Swedish kronor from the Swedish Film Institute. It was the fourth time von Trier made a film in Trollhttan. Kirsten Dunst nails her part, carrying the film as the depressed Justine. Melancholia ended a few weeks ago, wrapping up a run that was quiet and without much fanfare despite it starring the magnetic Lee Do Hyun and effervescent Im Soo Jung. Absent these excesses, Melancholia is almost PG von Trier (though the requisite Dunst nudity had graced many NC-17-rated websites). Dunst is so good in this film, playing a character unlike any other she has ever attempted, that she won the award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival this past May. [44], In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an Atlantic culture writer found "the perspective of a catastrophe-minded person thrust into a state of actual catastrophe finds perhaps no better creative expression" than in the film. [25] The press conference after the screening gained considerable publicity. The planet appeared from behind the Sun and passed in front of Antares. Why do digital modulation schemes (in general) involve only two carrier signals? The website's critical consensus states, "Melancholia's dramatic tricks are more obvious than they should be, but this is otherwise a showcase for Kirsten Dunst's acting and for Lars von Trier's profound, visceral vision of depression and destruction. He has no memory of her or In fact, Melancholia is the second in Von Trier's so-called depression trilogy, which also included Antichrist and Nymphomaniac: through all three, he purported to be exploring different manifestations of his own experience of depression using female alter-egos. But is that not just another way of expressing defeat? It's an experience that seems to live in the muscle memory of her body. So it felt very personal to me. "[37] According to Metacritic, the film received "generally favorable reviews", based on an average score of 80/100 from 40 critics. Films of this ilk for example include 2000s drug addiction tragedy Requiem for a Dream and the 1971 Stanley Kubrick classic A Clockwork Orange, which literally depicts the torture by government of its protagonist. Upon retiring to the bedroom, Michael starts to undress, but Justine has no interest in sleeping with this gorgeous man. Cruz wrote that she would like to work with von Trier, and spoke enthusiastically about the play The Maids by Jean Genet. Shortly before the collision, Justine, Claire, and Leo sit under the "cave" and hold hands. John is another composite - possibly representing modern man who has replaced belief in God with science. Melancholia uses music more than any film by von Trier since The Element of Crime from 1984. What is this thing from the faucet shut off valve called? Also, he's portrayed as a simple man. What's that, Cannes conference press attendees?"). And that was the germ ofMelancholia., Another von Triermot: God may have had fun at creation, but he didnt really think things through. The same may be said ofMelancholia. Here are the real reasons why. I feel ready to reject the film like a wrongly transplanted organ. John repeatedly uses the term "unbelievable" when referring to Gaby. ), 1943.3.3522. In fact, its the most interesting concept in the entire film - that it is actually not a tragedy humanity and the Earth are being destroyed. I like movies that make you think, but I hate Von Trier's breed of movies that seem to say "This isn't a movie, it's art, and my shit smells fantastic". You can't make a dent in it. Why did the horses calm down in Melancholia? Well I kind of addressed that in the second sentence. Part two follows the now-separated-from-Michael Justine, and a horrific depression set against the backdrop of looming armageddon. Justine declines to spend her final moments with Claire on the terrace by candlelight and wine. Melancholia stars Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgrd, Kiefer Sutherland and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Many films that cover mental illness horribly misfire, perpetuating stigmas of madness and hysteria. People with melancholic depression often feel extreme despair and guilt. Now in her mid-twenties, she saw Melancholia and casually enjoyed it as a teenager but was retroactively awestruck by the parallels when she rewatched it in 2019. Bridge represents passage from Eden into man's world (Sodom and Gomorrah?) The speed of Shanks' return certainly argues against the idea he had a hostile parting with the writers, although it is worth noting there have been hints he negotiated a pay rise when he came back. The horses were making too much noise, as Justine said, and after finding out that Melancholia will hit Earth, he panicked as well. This is in-line with the notion that her character represents Earth. When the world is ending, the director suggests, ones obsessions are more focused, urgent and chaste. It was preceded in 2009 by Antichrist and followed by Nymphomaniac in 2013.[5]. Dancer In The Dark was very closed off: Work, Selma's house, The Prison. Dogville speaks for itself (a chalk outlined set). and then in Melancholia -- there is NO outside world. And I've never seen that in another film.

2. Nothing touches it. She is the emotional one, trying to the end to escape a hopeless situation. Its a blood-and-guts cacophony of sadness, a genius original screenplay and purely artistic piece of indie cinema, which resonates deeply with audiences the world over and boasts idyllic cinematography. I see you have worked a bit on the interpretation. Justine, an advertising copywriter, has decided to get married to the nave Michael (Alexander Starsgrd), and Claire, the practical sister, has arranged a sumptuous reception in her giant, castle-like home, with adjoining golf course. But, amid all these problematic portrayals, arguably no film has been more profoundly compassionate in its depiction of a mental crisis than Lars von Trier's 2011 film Melancholia. They considered a few scenarios for how Michael would leave, including getting fired by corporate for a serious, unforgivable faux pas. For stretches of the film, von Trieria is as welcome as Siberia. MICHAEL COULDVE BEEN FIRED FROM DUNDER MIFFLIN When Steve Carell decided to leave The Office, it meant that the writers had to come up for a reason for Michael Scott to leave Dunder Mifflin. Accordingly, the first instance -- Justine's inability to cross the bridge -- represents how her depression limits her: she can't keep up with her depression-free sister. either exploitative, stigmatising or both, The struggle to portray dementia on screen, A report into mental health depiction in film and TV. Melancholia prominently features music from the prelude to Richard Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde (18571859). Gaby (Justine & Claire's mother) is the Archangel (Gabriel) or God's messenger or possibly God herself (as depicted in feminine). [21] The film was recorded digitally with Arri Alexa and Phantom cameras. In the second instance this is even despite Justine's frustrated beating of the horse. And thats fine: this daunting and delirious, poignant and problematic, borderline-brilliant film deserves to be approached on its own lofty terms, and not examined as a hidden code to neo-Nazi sentiments which von Trier, in most respects a conventional Euro-socialist, doesnt have. Why am I telling you to watch a depressing movie? The impact is less a collision than a celestial mating, a match made in the heavens. I realize an answer has already been accepted, but it is rather long and off-topic -- in fact I'm not even sure if it contains an answer to the question. Someone for whom its exploration of depression resonated is journalist and project manager Julie*. And I am certain I will go back to it time and time again." That life, by its very nature, is intractably evil. I've re-posted my forum post here with a few mods to fix one error and supply context that was missing without prior threads: a bride and groom at their wedding reception in an exquisite setting. It's such a basic thing when you're feeling fine; you fire off replies in one minute. I think this scene is important because it shows some sweet boobs, and also that deep down Justine is in love with her own depression and nihilism, she basks and wallows in it in a scene framed with kitsh romanticism. Wagners Overture forTristan und Isoldethunders its ominous beauty on the soundtrack, and a blond woman (Dunst) in a bridal gown looks up anxiously as birds fall dead around her. ", He was also deeply struck by the way in which Von Trier showed the physical side of depression how it creates a heaviness that settles in the bones, making everything an effort. Not a very flattering portrayal. Still, Learned told Fox News years later that she regretted leaving [8] In 2016, the film was named as the 43rd best film of the 21st century, from a poll of 177 film critics from around the world. Probably the most tenuous of my ideas is how I interpret the two Betty's - perhaps a bit of a stretch but it was my most likely thought after some consideration. Von Trier's initial inspiration for the film came from a depressive episode he suffered. "Melancholia has helped me decode what felt like an unsolvable puzzle. We dont need to grieve for it. But the runaway planet looms closer; the stuffy rationalizations of Claires husband Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) ring false; and Justines fatalism begins to seem the only sensible response to the end of days. [50], Film Comment magazine listed Melancholia third on its Best Films of 2011 list. The small planet reaches the Earth, makes impact and craters into it softly, deeply. Part 2, "Claire" takes a different focus and introduces us to the personality of the four people left in the manor to face the apocalypse. [7][8], A dream sequence showcases slow-motion shots of the main characters, a collapsing horse, falling birds, butterflies, different planets, and images of the Earth colliding with a rogue planet.[9]. Other than the name and relationship to Gaby, we have the two Betty's. WebDownload a digital image of this work.

Justine and Michael eventually arrive two hours late to their reception. These films in part account for the continuing stigma of mental illness., Von Trier told the press at the time of the films release that it is a psychological disaster movie and a beautiful movie about the end of the world.. The folks at Magnolia, the films distributor, must be relieved that Von Trier, whose laundry list of phobias includes air travel, is not coming from Denmark to do promotion. I close my eyes and hope! Look inward.. A black horse collapses backward in slow motion. [32] A total of 50,000 tickets were eventually sold in Denmark.

Melancholia is the second film in von Trier's unofficially titled Depression Trilogy. It's so soul-sapping and overwhelming and all-consuming. It is a film that, over the decade since its release, has become a kind of talisman for film fans who have experienced depression, such is the visceral power of its depiction. When Melancholia hits it will be the end of intelligent life, period. All you can do is accept this state of catastrophe and relax into the beauty of this final spectacle. She spent her life in melancholia but when it becomes concrete and inevitable she embraces it honestly. Whether depression or something more serious, mental illness has typically been portrayed in a way that is either exploitative, stigmatising or both: most reprehensibly, perhaps, it is still often used as a catalyst for violence, such as in Todd Phillips' recent Joker (2019).