Comments on: ANTICHRIST Obscene Sight Unseen? http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/ Daily coverage of what is truly interesting in the film world Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:41:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Karina Longworth http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131291 Karina Longworth Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:32:44 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131291 Interesting point of view. James, but your argument would kind of fall apart if you had gone to the Cannes screening that I went to, at which there was no booing. And it was not by any means derided by all who saw it -- not at that festival, not at Karlovy Vary or any of the other festivals it has screened at since. Look at indieWIRE's review from Cannes, look at the many reviews from British outlets, like Little White Lies and the Financial Times -- these reviews aren't completely dismissive or glowing, but are engagement with the film on a creative level, which is what a provocation of this kind deserves. Maybe it makes sense from a business perspective to promote ANTICHRIST as a hated film. But that doesn't mean it's not art. Interesting point of view. James, but your argument would kind of fall apart if you had gone to the Cannes screening that I went to, at which there was no booing. And it was not by any means derided by all who saw it — not at that festival, not at Karlovy Vary or any of the other festivals it has screened at since. Look at indieWIRE’s review from Cannes, look at the many reviews from British outlets, like Little White Lies and the Financial Times — these reviews aren’t completely dismissive or glowing, but are engagement with the film on a creative level, which is what a provocation of this kind deserves.

Maybe it makes sense from a business perspective to promote ANTICHRIST as a hated film. But that doesn’t mean it’s not art.

]]> By: james http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131282 james Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:25:47 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131282 I wanted to add something about the discussion around this film. I think this is very important to consider when talking about Antichrist. I work for a UK cinema chain and we know the person responsible for arranging distribution of films within the U.K. When Antichrist was shown at the Cannes film festival it was derided by all who witnessed it. This derision even went as far as a standing BOOO from the audience when the film ended. Upon seeing it, the person who arranges distribution for U.K films claimed that Antichrist would NEVER be released in the U.K. However, because of the negative response what happened was that the distributor Artificial Eye reduced there costs by 85%. Then the film was seen as marketable again and low and behold was released. Now what happened is that they have all that money to spend on advertising and critiques etc and this film is suddenly all hot. For me I think it is really important what we ingest and this includes culture and if were feeling uncomfortable about something, then it is natural to try and reduce that discomfort. Art is about feeling, not Lars Von Trier. People are all worthy of good art that corresponds with what they enjoy. My point is that Antichrist is not ART it is ECONOMICS... But that is just my opinion I wanted to add something about the discussion around this film. I think this is very important to consider when talking about Antichrist.
I work for a UK cinema chain and we know the person responsible for arranging distribution of films within the U.K.
When Antichrist was shown at the Cannes film festival it was derided by all who witnessed it. This derision even went as far as a standing BOOO from the audience when the film ended. Upon seeing it, the person who arranges distribution for U.K films claimed that Antichrist would NEVER be released in the U.K.
However, because of the negative response what happened was that the distributor Artificial Eye reduced there costs by 85%. Then the film was seen as marketable again and low and behold was released.
Now what happened is that they have all that money to spend on advertising and critiques etc and this film is suddenly all hot.
For me I think it is really important what we ingest and this includes culture and if were feeling uncomfortable about something, then it is natural to try and reduce that discomfort. Art is about feeling, not Lars Von Trier. People are all worthy of good art that corresponds with what they enjoy.
My point is that Antichrist is not ART it is ECONOMICS…
But that is just my opinion

]]> By: A ‘New Moon’ Set Visit And Speaking Out Of Turn On Heath Ledger Around The Blogosphere | Results videos photos news blogs At I google wiki . com http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131058 A ‘New Moon’ Set Visit And Speaking Out Of Turn On Heath Ledger Around The Blogosphere | Results videos photos news blogs At I google wiki . com Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:58:15 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131058 [...] – Yesterday, Spout Blog’s Karina Longworth spotted a troubling anti-”Antichrist” editorial in the Daily Mail, a UK newsrag. The author of the opinion piece crucified Lars Von Trier’s controversial art-horror flick, calling for an outright ban despite having never seen the film. Karina rightly takes the the ignorant fool to task. There’s nothing wrong with negative criticisms, unless you’re basing those criticisms on a second-hand (or worse) account! (SpoutBlog) [...] [...] – Yesterday, Spout Blog’s Karina Longworth spotted a troubling anti-”Antichrist” editorial in the Daily Mail, a UK newsrag. The author of the opinion piece crucified Lars Von Trier’s controversial art-horror flick, calling for an outright ban despite having never seen the film. Karina rightly takes the the ignorant fool to task. There’s nothing wrong with negative criticisms, unless you’re basing those criticisms on a second-hand (or worse) account! (SpoutBlog) [...]

]]> By: A ‘New Moon’ Set Visit And Speaking Out Of Turn On Heath Ledger Around The Blogosphere | CloneMovie Latest movie news http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131049 A ‘New Moon’ Set Visit And Speaking Out Of Turn On Heath Ledger Around The Blogosphere | CloneMovie Latest movie news Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:24:47 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131049 [...] – Y­ester­d­ay­, Spo­­u­t Bl­o­­g’s Kar­i­na L­o­­ngw­o­­r­th spo­­tted­ a tr­o­­u­bl­i­ng anti­-”Anti­c­hr­i­st” ed­i­to­­r­i­al­ i­n the Dai­ly­ M­ai­l, a­ U­K n­ew­sra­g. The a­u­tho­r o­f the o­pi­n­i­o­n­ pi­ece cru­ci­fi­ed­ La­rs Vo­n­ Tri­er’s co­n­tro­versi­a­l a­rt-ho­rro­r fli­ck, ca­lli­n­g fo­r a­n­ o­u­tri­ght ba­n­ d­espi­te ha­vi­n­g n­ever seen­ the fi­lm. Ka­ri­n­a­ ri­ghtly ta­kes the the i­gn­o­ra­n­t fo­o­l to­ ta­sk. There’s n­o­thi­n­g w­ro­n­g w­i­th n­ega­ti­ve cri­ti­ci­sms, u­n­less you­’r­e­ b­asin­g th­ose­ cr­iticism­s on­ a se­con­d-h­an­d (or­ wor­se­) accou­n­t! (S­po­utB­lo­g) [...] [...] – Y­ester­d­ay­, Spo­­u­t Bl­o­­g’s Kar­i­na L­o­­ngw­o­­r­th spo­­tted­ a tr­o­­u­bl­i­ng anti­-”Anti­c­hr­i­st” ed­i­to­­r­i­al­ i­n the Dai­ly­ M­ai­l, a­ U­K n­ew­sra­g. The a­u­tho­r o­f the o­pi­n­i­o­n­ pi­ece cru­ci­fi­ed­ La­rs Vo­n­ Tri­er’s co­n­tro­versi­a­l a­rt-ho­rro­r fli­ck, ca­lli­n­g fo­r a­n­ o­u­tri­ght ba­n­ d­espi­te ha­vi­n­g n­ever seen­ the fi­lm. Ka­ri­n­a­ ri­ghtly ta­kes the the i­gn­o­ra­n­t fo­o­l to­ ta­sk. There’s n­o­thi­n­g w­ro­n­g w­i­th n­ega­ti­ve cri­ti­ci­sms, u­n­less you­’r­e­ b­asin­g th­ose­ cr­iticism­s on­ a se­con­d-h­an­d (or­ wor­se­) accou­n­t! (S­po­utB­lo­g) [...]

]]> By: Tony http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131034 Tony Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:11:30 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131034 I agree that it's absolutely ridiculous for a critic to comment like this on a film he hasn't seen, except... since this film is directed by Lars Von Trier, it IS actually completely acceptable to assert that it's not fit to be viewed by anyone. I agree that it’s absolutely ridiculous for a critic to comment like this on a film he hasn’t seen, except… since this film is directed by Lars Von Trier, it IS actually completely acceptable to assert that it’s not fit to be viewed by anyone.

]]> By: Erik McClanahan http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131010 Erik McClanahan Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:50:03 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131010 Ugh. This kind of short-sighted censorship-mongering really bugs me. I'm with you, Karina. This guy has an argument until he reveals major plot points and analyzes a film he hasn't even seen. Totally undermines everything he argues in the piece. I for one can not wait to see Antichrist, and hope that we American audiences are lucky enough to choose for ourselves (gee, what a weird concept) whether or not we want to see the film. The debate alone will be fun to join. Ugh. This kind of short-sighted censorship-mongering really bugs me. I’m with you, Karina. This guy has an argument until he reveals major plot points and analyzes a film he hasn’t even seen. Totally undermines everything he argues in the piece. I for one can not wait to see Antichrist, and hope that we American audiences are lucky enough to choose for ourselves (gee, what a weird concept) whether or not we want to see the film. The debate alone will be fun to join.

]]> By: James Campbell http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-131008 James Campbell Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:16:24 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-131008 You might want to correct this article, because as your link testifies, this editorial by Hart was in the Daily Mail (not the Guardian). Peter Bradshaw wrote a piece for the latter, interrogating Hart's editorial (along similar lines to your own critique). Otherwise, well said! And thanks for your fascinating analysis of Antichrist back at Cannes. You might want to correct this article, because as your link testifies, this editorial by Hart was in the Daily Mail (not the Guardian). Peter Bradshaw wrote a piece for the latter, interrogating Hart’s editorial (along similar lines to your own critique). Otherwise, well said! And thanks for your fascinating analysis of Antichrist back at Cannes.

]]> By: Ryan Stewart http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-130969 Ryan Stewart Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:27:17 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-130969 Nikki Finke is even worse. A couple of years ago she was bragging about not seeing Hostel II, while simultaneously encouraging her readers to pirate it and naming/shaming the execs involved in its making. She went as far as to say Lionsgate shouldn't be allowed to make such films. I'll be interested to see if she now takes up the cause against Antichrist, a film presumably more defensible as art. Nikki Finke is even worse. A couple of years ago she was bragging about not seeing Hostel II, while simultaneously encouraging her readers to pirate it and naming/shaming the execs involved in its making. She went as far as to say Lionsgate shouldn’t be allowed to make such films. I’ll be interested to see if she now takes up the cause against Antichrist, a film presumably more defensible as art.

]]> By: Charlie http://blog.spout.com/2009/07/20/antichrist-obscene-sight-unseen/#comment-130958 Charlie Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:21:12 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=15949#comment-130958 This is from the Daily Mail, not the Guardian. This is from the Daily Mail, not the Guardian.

]]>