Synopsis
Jacob THUESEN (director) and Lars Von TRIER (writer), natives of Denmark, home of the cinematic virtuoso Carl DREYER (1889 - 1968), both studied at National Film School of Denmark. Their professional/fraternal collaboration has embodied this conspicuously autobiographical rendition of an aspiring filmmaker training at a national film academy. Think a teenager TRIER, while images of Erik NIETZSCHE and his rambunctious colleagues, appearing halfway into the movie, strongly suggest the writer's early works including Europa[1991], Epidemic[1987] and Forbrydelsens element[1984]. The reason why he has created a NIETZSCHE, his alter ego? Perhaps to engrave the philosopher's statement that through art, one is empowered not to negate the mostly tragic experience called life. (SHIN Eun Shil)