date movie of the summer

Antichrist-the new film from Danish homeboy Lars Von Trier, director of such films as Dancer in the Dark, Insomnia (the original, not the shitty American remake starring a washed up Pacino and Robin Williams) and co founder of the arguably pretentious Dogma 95 movement. The film caused a stir at Cannes, and everywhere else, as it apparently features quite a lot sexual mutilation, to the extent that some have claimed it borders on torture porn. At least four people fainted during the screening at Cannes, do to the graphic mutilation scenes. The Ecumenical Jury at Cannes, (who FYI have the stated purpose to "honour works of quality which touch the spiritual dimension of our existence") went as far as to give the film an anti-award (the first of its kind), calling it "the most misogynist movie from the self-proclaimed biggest director in the world". Despite the widespread claims of misogyny, both within and outside of the Ecumenical Jury, the lead actress Charlotte Gainsbourg was given the award for best lead actress. The film opened to widespread praise in Denmark, from both critics and audiences alike, but has had a mixed reception here in the States. I still might try to catch this before I roll out of NY, but even the local indie theaters around me don't seem to be carrying it.

ps - the first person to splice Willem Defoe's scenes from this film with ones from the Last Temptation of Christ into some sort of a narrative and post it on youtube will be named an honorary blog member.