MovieChat Forums > Dogville (2004) Discussion > Let's remember something about the Danis...

Let's remember something about the Danish

posted 10 years ago by la_follette
12 replies | jump to latest

When the Nazis rolled into Copenhagen in 1940, Danish resistance amounted to the following: 16 dead. That's right, 16 Danes gave their lives defending the homeland from Hitler. And the Germans captured the Danish Army headquarters without firing a single shot.

I suppose Lars Von Trier thinks that's a record to be proud of. For a guy who points fingers so much, I hope he does. Otherwise he'd be just another rotten miserable European leftist hypocrite. Perhaps if his countrymen had shown a bit more spine, George Patton wouldn't have had to go over there and kill so many Germans. Then again, their cowardice allowed Patton to show them up even more, so I suppose it all worked out in the end.

[–] Rmiles92 10 years ago

I'm gonna take a wild guess here and assume you're an American who's angry about the film because it ostensibly attacks the USA. Well, I have news - this film is not about the USA. Contrary to erroneous interpretations by critics (Ebert, Rosenbaum etc.) it's actually about human nature. The ending is pretty much just Von Trier provoking (trolling) his critics, not something malicious towards a country.

Is this your homework, Larry?

[–] alchymi 10 years ago

The themes in the movie are perhaps straightforward in a way that they could be applied to anything. The movie could be about China and its wanton abuse of the environment.

I'd hate to think though that cheeky Dane took a dig at American hubris and you all fell into the trap.

[–] Drooch 9 years ago

Except that this is the first part of what's called his America Trilogy, followed by Manderlay (dealing with American slavery) and the on-hold 'Wasington'.

Great film, either way.

[–] Rmiles92 9 years ago

It is part of his unfinished America trilogy, but I wouldn't say it's a film about America, as despite it being amenable to a political reading (Bush & 'infinite justice'), it's really more about humanity as a whole.

The man doesn't blink, mom, the man doesn't blink!

[–] Drooch (5333) 3 years ago

The film certainly functions as an expose of the potential for evil in all humans, and yet I can’t ignore the fact that Dogville and Manderlay end with a montage of photos of Americans from that era set to Bowie’s ‘The Young Americans’, as well as the setting and characters being American. Plus, as I mentioned these are two films in what was to be ‘the America trilogy’.

It certainly looks like Von Trier is taking pot shots at America, as he did with America’s healthcare system and death penalty in Dancer In The Dark.

All that said, I see the films actually taking aim at idealistic Lefties and Social Justice types.

[–] dessmr-58843 8 years ago

I don't know if there's something like backfire trolling, but this is a fine example. Paul Bettany's character even says something about naming the town "Dogville", as sugessted by Grace, he says that it wouldn't be universal. That and the credits make it difficult to exactly put it as something more universally fable-like story than a mere wink to the corruption in the land of the freedom. The trolling was too on the nose for me, it felt to unnecesarily forced. I imagine it would have been an equally profound story regarding human nature with Medieval or sci-fi settings, this time with gansters but the "trolling" just spoiled it. Specially whe it got to Nixon.

[–] jacksflicks 10 years ago

That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard about a very courageous people who said No, when ordered by the Gestapo to deliver their Jewish citizens for transport to the death camps. You are as big a fart as von Trier, but rather more stupid. Take your meds, Geezer, roll over and go to sleep. And don't wake up.

[–] pfr_77 9 years ago

if americans are so kool then why do you cry so damn much over a 12 year old movie made by a "danish coward"

[–] Grace_from_Dogville 9 years ago

Actually he often criticized his country Denmark too. He gave up his knighthood (and handed back insignia) which was given to him by Danish royal family. Stated that "a complete bullsh*t... they are simple people of poor quality".

He doesn't care if it's US or any other country. He just expresses it openly if he dislikes something. That's it.

[–] bpollen 8 years ago

Otherwise he'd be just another rotten miserable European leftist hypocrite.

Actually, the Nazis and sympathizers were far right. Fascist authoritarians. As far from leftists as you can get.

Why all the hating on this director? What's everyone's problem with him? He seems just an artsy director and writer. There are many.

[–] tom8 (3119) 4 years ago

"Actually, the Nazis and sympathizers were far right. Fascist authoritarians. As far from leftists as you can get."

wrong, nazis are left wing, just like the modern day nazis and fascists: Antifa

National Socialism commonly known in English as Nazism

Socialists = Left wingers

[–] Zoomorph 8 years ago

Maybe the Danes, unlike you, realize that the real world isn't black-and-white and maybe, just maybe, there were some positive things about Hitler along with the negative? Even your famous General Patton famously acknowledged that the U.S. had defeated the wrong enemy in the war, before he died under suspicious circumstances.

Modern Denmark is on the decline much the same as modern America.

~ Observe, and act with clarity. ~