"Theater is an art form. Films are just an exaggerated manipulation of this art." Someone was quoted saying this; mainly because of the fact that film uses other means to hide it's flaws like music, visuals, etc.
Dogville is raw. A pure, unadulterated piece of work by Lars Von Trier. Starting with the experimentation of this concept, Von converted this experiment to a feature film of about 3 hours and the results are enchanting. Dogville is a must for all the aspiring film makers and film lovers.
The film takes place in a confined set or a flat land marked with chalk lines. Breaking the stereotypical notion of the necessity of visually magnificent locations, it focuses on acting through close ups and it comes out as never before in a film as there is no music or anything else to distract you. Baring naked the artificiality of any film, it then achieves a level of being absolutely believable just because the ensemble believes in that artificiality so much.
Theatrically set, this film couldn't have been depicted in any other art form. The crane shots from top which explains the city of Dogville, the journey in the truck, the close ups and focus on a particular area of the set at one time could never have been possible in a theatre. It is a film, rightfully made in that particular form.
It could be an epic tragicomic film (like the absurd theater!) which is timeless.
"This film shows you the world in an hour and half." With artful direction of Robert Bresson, this film explores the same human nature of exploitation. Like the goat, the girl is always exploited because of the human tendency of wanting more. Linking Dogville to Au Hasard Balthazar was inevitable. Both these films, breaking the structured form of film-making, makes it into a tool for exploration.
To differentiate, this film tries to be more real and does so by the masterful direction of Bresson. While, Dogville tries to remain as artificial as possible in the looks of it and tries to remain timelessly true at the core of it.
Philosophically, both are a venture that goes deep within the human nature.
Dogville is a place where Dogs live. Everyone is a dog except Moses who barks at any stranger. It is a happy town with little needs. But, even the villagers are human, aren't they? Their craving for exploitation of resources is the same as the city people or the Gangsters. And being human, they tend to believe in thier own lies rather than confronting themselves.
It's religious sarcasm is rather secondary I would say. Grace (The Christ) comes to Dogville and forgives everyone no matter what they do. They are unable to hear truth about themselves and decides to give her up (Crucify her!). Perhaps, Von Trier is trying to say it was the arrogance of Jesus to forgive us. And because of it, the mankind has never learnt. It is necessary to whip these dogs even if it does something that is in his nature (that we assume that man has exploitative/utilitarian nature) and by not doing it, we are undermining them. Forgiveness is always for you, never for others. Never can one make an example by forgiving!
True. Flawless. Timeless - A film that matters!
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