The Idiots (Lars von Trier, 1998)

[Antoine Doinel]

It's a bias insofar as they are presented in his films. I actually agree in principle with much of what von Trier is trying to say about America, but he doesn't provide a dissenting point of view.

But I don't think it matters there isn't any dissention. Bullshit like Thank You For Smoking or Saved is hailed because it "attacks both sides equally." Well, I couldn't care less about that. I would much rather watch a film with a distinct, fierce point of view.

That's a good point and I would have to agree. I like Dogville and Manderlay because of the unbridled enthusiasm von Trier uses to lay into his subject. However, I would be hardpressed to say that von Trier's criticism of America is anything more than a kneejerk reaction that won't resonate with anyone who doesn't even remotely agree with where he's coming from. And unless you're trying to provoke your audience (which I'm sure is part of the fun for him) what's the point of preaching to the converted?

[montgomery]

For me, the problem isn't that he doesn't provide a dissenting view, but that his point of view, or at least the way he presents it, doesn't carry a lot of weight (except, as doinel says, with people who already agree, but even then the sentiment alone is probably all they need). To me, it seems like Birth of a Nation, but with an even more confused premise. Don't get me wrong, I like Dogville (not Manderlay so much), and I'm critical of America. But I couldn't help but ask, what is Von Trier saying here that he can't apply to his own country, or continent, or to dozens of other countries, or to the history of mankind? Does this apply to me? Does his point of view even hold water, or is he skating by on anti-American sentiment alone? Is he even serious? I believe it would be the easiest thing in the world to make a damning film about any country, race, class of people, if you want to focus solely on what you hate. Anyway, I think Von Trier was intending to provoke, not to enlighten. But sometimes he seems so out-of-touch that I couldn't be provoked even if I wanted to. Anyone who thinks that Manderlay has its finger on the pulse of American race politics, past or present, is kidding himself; not even a self-hating American could find it applicable.

[justeleblanc]

I have the Tartan DVD and I'm looking to replace it since it's in the wrong aspect ratio, but I don't want to buy the the full Dogma 1-4 boxset. I'd be perfectly happy with a bare bones version of this film as long as its unedited and in the correct aspect ratio. Does anyone know if one currently exists?

[jorencain]

What IS the correct aspect ratio? I have the Alliance Atlantis release (got it through amazon.ca a few years ago), and it's unedited, 1.33:1. I don't know if it's still available...

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

The proper AR is 1.33:1, per the Dogme rules (hey, remember those?). It's not exactly an immaculately-framed film, but it still looks off at 1.78:1.

The Canadian disc is still in stock at Amazon.ca, so I assume it hasn't gone OOP.

[greggster59]

Tartan's PAL R0 release is unedited and probably the best release of that.

The Tartan disc isn't cut but they got the aspect ratio wrong (all "true" Dogme films are 1.33:1). The hands-down best release of The Idiots is in the Danish "Dogme #1-4 Kollektion" box set that was released by Zentropa late last year. New transfer, loads of extras including commentaries and The Humiliated, English subs on everything. The other films in the set are The Celebration (a.k.a. Festen), Mifune and The King Is Alive; lots of extras for those too, especially The Celebration, which incidentally is a masterpiece. DVD Beaver review (with impressively un-work-safe screencaps) here.

The Box Set is available from Lasedisken in Denmark. The listed price was 99 kr but it came up as 17.90 kr (under $13 US) in the basket. With shipping it's a little over $28. Great deal.