Politics as Form in Lars von Trier: A Post-Brechtian Reading

by Angelos Koutsourakis

This is the first study that employs a materialist framework to discuss the political implications of form in the films of Lars von Trier. Focusing mainly on early films, Politics as Form in Lars von Trier identifies recurring formal elements in von Trier's oeuvre and discusses the formal complexity of his films under the rubric of the post-Brechtian. Through an in depth formal analysis, the book shows that Brecht is more important to von Trier's work than what most critics seem to acknowledge and deems von Trier as a dialectical filmmaker. This study draws on many untranslated resources and features an interview with Lars von Trier, and another one with his mentor – the great Danish director Jørgen Leth.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2013

Reviews

[indi 👾 · Rating 3 out of 5]

(i read this inconsistently over the last year)

koutsourakis’ thesis is fundamentally flawed (the entire book hinges on the assertion that trier’s films cannot be interpreted autobiographically, which is one of the most ridiculous things ever put to print) but it was still an enriching read!