Melancholia

About Melancholia

Melancholia, released in 2011, is a Danish psychological science fiction drama directed by Lars von Trier. The film follows two sisters, Justine and Claire, as they navigate their strained relationship amidst the imminent collision of Earth by a massive rogue planet called Melancholia. The movie stands as a menacing exploration of depression, anxiety, and the end of the world.

Making/Production

Lars von Trier intended Melancholia as a contemplation on depression and a personal experience of the mental state. The film was produced by Meta Louise Foldager and Louise Vesth, and the cinematography was handled by Manuel Alberto Claro.

Actors

• Kirsten Dunst as Justine: Dunst plays a deeply disturbed woman who seems to resonate with the impending disaster. Her performance is both haunting and mesmerising.
• Charlotte Gainsbourg as Claire: Gainsbourg portrays a woman torn between her love for her sister and her fear of the approaching planet.
• Kiefer Sutherland as John: He plays the role of Claire's husband, who doesn't believe in the imminent disaster. His performance adds the needed realism in the fantastical plot.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• Director Lars von Trier has said that the idea for the movie came to him during a therapy session.
• The film's first act is based on von Trier's own experience with depression.
• The visual effects used for creating the planet Melancholia was a detailed study of NASA's photos of other celestial bodies.

Awards

Melancholia won Kirsten Dunst the award for Best Actress at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Quotes

• "Life is only on Earth. And not for long."
• "The Earth is evil. We don't need to grieve for it."
• "Enjoy it while it lasts."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's haunting soundtrack was composed by Richard Wagner — specifically the prelude to his opera "Tristan und Isolde".
• The music adds to the ominous atmosphere of the film and reinforces its theme of impending doom.