Melancholia is a weird film about... Melancholia by Lars Von Trier.
It follows the melancholia of Justine and her sister and at the same time a planet called Melancholia is threatening the planet.
The film starts with an arty slow motion prologue which is meant to reflect Justine's melancholic thoughts and visions of what will happen. The first half is named after Justine as it is dedicated to her. It begins with her wedding where she suddenly falls into depression. She wants so desperately to be normal and have a happy married life but her melancholia holds her back. Her family try to help her and it is hinted at that her melancholic state is learnt from her mother.
I got a bit confused here because she had sex with a young intern on the lawn, in her wedding dress, and argues with her boss and decides against marriage... after she is married... And her husband and all the guests leave...
And clearly depressed she begs her father to stay, which he agrees to do but then leaves anyway having left her a note.............
Confused!
In the beginning Justine is scared and expresses it but as the film develops and the planet draws closer, she calms and her fear subsides while claire's fear increases and she panics when she knows the world will end.
Claire wants to save justine but Justine doesn't want to be saved. Claire gets more and more desperate because she can't save her sister from depression and she can't change that Melancholia will hit earth. She has no control.
The sisters change roles as they get closer to the apocalypse. Claire is not used to having anxieties so breaks down. The catastrophe makes the melancholic happy because when it's over it will be ok.
These are some notes I made when watching the special features about the film.
"Melancholy is not only an illness.. She is also the patronness of creativity. Alone and desperate amongst all those discrete objects.. she will discover an order." Frank Kermode.
This is about the durer painting Melancholia.
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