15 Films From Lars von Trier
15 titles
- 1
NocturneMovie · 1980 · 8m · DramaThe film opens on a silent, unsettling night as the protagonist awakens from a disturbing dream about someone breaking into her home. She calls a friend, comforted by the conversation as they discuss her upcoming 6 am flight from Copenhagen to Buenos Aires. Though she's hesitant to leave, her friend encourages her, offering support.
Later, the protagonist stands in a dimly lit car park with her suitcase, appearing to consider her journey. The scene shifts to a beautiful image of geese flying in formation against the moonlit sky, suggesting themes of change and self-discovery. As the woman travels to a new place, she confronts her inner struggles and navigates unfamiliar emotional territory.IMDb 5.5TMDB 5.6 - 2
The IdiotsMovie · 1998 · 114m · Comedy, DramaIn Lars von Trier's Dogma-95 film, the director creates a unique cinematic experience by using home-video and documentary techniques. The story follows a group of young people as they explore who they are, challenging how they appear and examining their inner selves. The film explores the complexities of identity and asks viewers to consider the challenges and changes involved in finding oneself.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 3
Europa EuropaMovie · 1990 · 112m · History, Drama, WarDuring the early years of World War II, a young Jewish boy is forcibly separated from his family and chooses to hide his identity by posing as an orphaned German child to survive.
He successfully integrates into Nazi society, becoming a member of the Hitler Youth and gaining insight into the workings of the oppressive regime. He must carefully maintain his disguise while suppressing memories of his past.
This intense drama explores themes of identity, strength, and the desperate measures people take to protect themselves during a time of great darkness and fear. It follows a young boy's extraordinary journey as he faces unimaginable hardships in a world of danger and deception.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 4
MelancholiaMovie · 2011 · 130m · Drama, Science FictionA difficult relationship between two sisters is further tested when a strange new planet appears on a collision course with Earth.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.2 - 5
Nymphomaniac: Vol. IMovie · 2013 · 118m · DramaSeligman discovers an injured woman unconscious in an alley and takes her home. She introduces herself as Joe and reveals she is a nymphomaniac. Joe recounts her life and sexual encounters with numerous men since adolescence, while Seligman describes his interests, including fly fishing, studying Fibonacci numbers, and listening to organ music.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 6
AntichristMovie · 2009 · 104m · Drama, Horror, ThrillerA couple struggling with grief and marital problems seeks solace in their secluded cabin, "Eden," deep in the woods. Hoping to heal and reconnect, they find their situation escalating as nature unleashes unforeseen challenges.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.6 - 7
The Five ObstructionsMovie · 2003 · 90m · DocumentaryIn 1967, filmmaker Jorgen Leth made "The Perfect Human," featuring a man and women in a box, questioned by a narrator about their lives and humanity. Years later, Leth agreed to remake the film five times for Danish director Lars von Trier, each iteration with von Trier's specific rules. With every completed version, von Trier introduces increasingly complex stipulations.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 8
DogvilleMovie · 2003 · 178m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerFleeing a dangerous mob, a woman finds refuge in a quiet Colorado town. She's offered work in exchange for sanctuary, but when a search party arrives, she discovers the community's kindness comes with a hidden cost.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.8 - 9
EuropaMovie · 1991 · 113m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerAfter World War II, an optimistic young American begins a new life as a train conductor for the railway system in Frankfurt, which is under US control. His hopeful start quickly becomes complicated as he deals with the dangerous political landscape of the postwar era, facing those who try to take advantage of him. As tensions escalate and he discovers a network of secrets and hidden Nazi loyalties, the main character is forced to confront the difficult truths of a world recovering from war and his own uncertain place in it. This story follows his journey as it explores themes of innocence lost, betrayal, and the lasting impact of a worldwide conflict.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 10
The Element of CrimeMovie · 1984 · 104m · Crime, Drama, Science FictionRetired detective Fisher returns to the force for one final case: a series of brutal murders of young girls with no answers. He partners with crime writer Osbourne, using a risky method – trying to understand the killer's thoughts – to solve the mystery. But as Fisher explores this disturbing approach, he becomes deeply involved in a dark world where the difference between hunter and savior becomes unclear, forcing him to face his own personal struggles.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4 - 11
Dancer in the DarkMovie · 2000 · 140m · Drama, CrimeSelma, a Czech immigrant facing blindness, works hard to support herself and her son. He shares her genetic condition and needs a costly operation to avoid the same future. Overwhelmed by hardship, Selma finds solace in musicals, composing small songs inspired by the sounds around her.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.9 - 12
Breaking the WavesMovie · 1996 · 159m · Drama, RomanceIn a quiet Scottish village, a woman's predictable life changes when her husband proposes a risky plan. He is paralyzed and feels isolated, so he convinces his wife to have an affair, hoping she will describe her experiences to him. He seeks a brief connection to a world he believes is forever closed to him. This intimate drama explores intimacy, desire, and the human need for connection, examining the lengths people will go to ease another's loneliness and suffering.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 13
The Boss of It AllMovie · 2006 · 99m · ComedyA tech company owner aims to sell his business for a big payday. However, he created a fictional company president to shield himself when making difficult decisions. Now, prospective buyers demand a meeting with the "Boss" himself. To avoid exposure, the owner hires a struggling actor to impersonate him.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 14
MedeaMovie · 1989 · 76m · Drama, TV MovieThis adaptation of Euripides' Greek tragedy, Medea, tells a dark story without divine intervention. It's a harrowing portrayal of Medea, a woman who made extreme sacrifices for Jason, including killing her own brother to help him on the Voyage of the Argonauts. But Jason betrays her by marrying the King's daughter, forcing Medea into exile from Corinth.
During her final day in Corinth, Medea plans a series of shocking events. The King grants her a last day in the city, setting the stage for a powerful revenge that explores themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and retribution. This gripping story remains captivating, reminding us of the lengths people will go to achieve justice, even when facing impossible circumstances.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.5 - 15
ManderlayMovie · 2005 · 139m · DramaIn 1933, a young woman and her father stumble upon an Alabama plantation where the people live as if slavery still exists. Feeling compelled to help, she decides to stay and lead the people to freedom, guiding them through their first harvest. She teams up with four of her father's colleagues and a lawyer to undertake the difficult task of rebuilding the plantation, Manderlay.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9
