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The Idiots
1998
Lars von Trier's first contribution to Denmark's Dogme 95 collective (subtitled "Dogme 2," following Thomas Vinterberg's THE CELEBRATION) concerns a group of adults who decide to get in touch with their "inner idiot." When Karen (Bodil Jorgensen), a shy, sensitive young woman, follows a group of mentally disabled individuals .. Read more
| Starring | Jens Albinus, Louise Hassing, Bodil Jorgensen, Henrik Prip |
|---|---|
| Director | Lars Von Trier |
| Genres | Comedy, World Cinema |
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The Idiots
Lars von Trier's first contribution to Denmark's Dogme 95 collective (subtitled "Dogme 2," following Thomas Vinterberg's THE CELEBRATION) concerns a group of adults who decide to get in touch with their "inner idiot." When Karen (Bodil Jorgensen), a shy, sensitive young woman, follows a group of mentally disabled individuals home after an encounter at a restaurant, she discovers that they are, in fact, healthy and intelligent. Led by Stoffer (Jens Albinus), the group lives communally in his wealthy uncle's house. Stoffer believes that by "spassing" in public they are rejecting the conformity and normality of modern society, and he spends his unemployed days thinking of different ways to toy with the world at large.
Shot with handheld digital cameras and using natural lighting and natural locations, THE IDIOTS possesses an urgency that makes it feel like a documentary. Von Trier sparked a heated controversy with his decision to film the sex scenes with actual intercourse, adhering to the Dogme tenets. (He hired porn actors for the close-ups.) This controversy aside, the film nonetheless raises questions about cultism, modern ethics, and the idea of individuality within the absurdity of the characters' world.
| Starring | Jens Albinus, Louise Hassing, Bodil Jorgensen, Henrik Prip, Paprika Steen, Troels Lyby, Knud Romer Jorgensen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Luis Mesonero, Trine Michelsen, Louise Mieritz |
|---|---|
| Director | Lars Von Trier |
| Studio | PALISADES TARTAN |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Danish |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 25 Sep 2000 Production year: 1998 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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The third film to emerge from the Dogme 95 collective (following director Lars von Trier's own Breaking the Waves and Festen), this controversial comedy drama utilises the group's complete rejection of film-making artifice to maximum effect and creates a uniquely unsettling experience. Von Trier thrusts his hand-held camera in the middle of a bunch of Danish drop-outs, who test the waters of cultural acceptance by pretending to be mentally disabled in all manner of public places. Although uncomfortably comic in its portrayal of people feigning disability, the disturbing (and for a few seconds pornographic) content is balanced by mesmerising naturalistic performances, emotionally engaging situations and an ultimately liberating message.
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A talented director pushes his art in the wrong direction: this is a scrappily filmed satire on family life, both conventional and communal, where the cult leader is far more parasitical and controlling than his abused suburban counterparts.
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Most helpful member's review
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28 out of 29 people found this review helpful
This film is something special
Dogme number 2 revolves around a group of middle-class dropouts who spend their time pretending to be mentally and physically handicapped in public places. We see the group through the eyes of Karen who joins them out of curiousity as much as the need to fill a void in her life. The group continue to push each other to new heights of 'spazzing' and tensions also start to rise.
Lars Von Trier is a director who likes to provoke a reaction, any reaction, and he certainly succeeds with 'The Idiots'. Shocking, subversive and often very funny, the film defies description. Von Trier coaxes incredible performances from his fearless cast. Interesting and brave points are made about society's attitude to the disabled and instead of revulsion the group occasionally provokes our empathy. The film develops a cumulative power which makes the final scenes overpowering in their raw emotion.
Von Trier has an undeniable ability to find an exposed nerve and attack it mercilessly. While this means 'The Idiots' is often extremely uncomfortable viewing, it's a devastating experience. 'The Idiots' stands as one of the most important films of the 90's. Groundbreaking, original and simply brilliant. -
Most recent members' review
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14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Below the Knuckle
Watch this for 5 minutes and you will be deeply offended. Sit it out and you will be amazed and startled and have a whole new perspective on life.
It would be easy to dismiss this film as an attack on the mentally handicapped. That falls way short of any real understanding. The Idiots act out "challenging behaviours" to find their "inner idiot". Their antics cause the "normal" people in the film to start acting in turn - acting as if they were perfectly tolerant and accepting - as they make excuses and edge away.
This film draws that out in a series of - let's face it - hilarious set pieces. As they go on, the tension mounts and you wonder where the film could possibly be going. Then you reach the final scene - 5 minutes of the most intense emotional brutality that would scare off 99.99% of all aspiring actors. Brilliant. -
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Lars von Trier's first contribution to Denmark's Dogme 95 collective (subtitled "Dogme 2," following Thomas Vinterberg's THE CELEBRATION) concerns a group of adults who decide to get in touch with ... -