I’m not sure what to make of this latest report out of the Norwegian site Montages (via The Playlist) saying that despite the softcore version of Lars von Trier‘s Nymphomaniac playing in theaters in Denmark and Norway this Christmas, that the complete, five hour, hardcore version will then play at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival five months later.
The fact it would have already played in some territories, softcore or not, gives me pause and especially since it would have played theaters five months in advance makes me wonder if Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux would determine the headlines garnered by having von Trier’s pornographic new film at the festival, three years after he was designated persona non grata is actually worth it. In my opinion it’s a decision beneath what I consider to be the most prestigious festival there is, but prestige vs. attention can sometimes cloud a person’s vision.
For those of you that don’t know, Nymphomaniac is the story of a woman’s erotic journey from birth to the age of 50 as told by the main character, the self-diagnosed nymphomaniac, Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg). On a cold winter’s evening the old, charming bachelor, Seligman (Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd), finds Joe beaten up in an alley. He brings her home to his flat where he cares for her wounds while asking her about her life. He listens intently as Joe over the next 8 chapters recounts the lushly branched-out and multi faceted story of her life, rich in associations and interjecting incidents.
The film co-stars Stacy Martin (as young Joe), Shia Labeouf, Jamie Bell, Connie Nielsen, Mia Goth, Jens Albinus, Severin von Hoensbroech, Peter Gilberg Cotton, Nicolas Bro, Tabea Tarbiat, Janine Romanowski, Jesper Christensen, Tania Carlin, Felicity Gilbert and Shanti Roney.
A variety of clips and pictures have already made their way online, check out the lot right here.
