Behind the Façade!. Review on Dogville Movie

Dogville is one of the most interestingly made films. As the tagline reads Dogville is a quite little town, not so far away from here. The movie is divided into a prologue and nine chapters, and it begins with an introduction to the people living in Dogville.

The people are simple, good, hardworking people, who've probably had little excitement, till Grace (Kidman) wanders into their small Colorado town. Tom, the writer and dreamer, decides to take her in, and before doing that, he calls for a town meeting. Though intially sceptical about taking Grace in, Tom convinces everyone to give her two weeks to prove herself to them. In those two weeks, she'd help them with chores they didn't really need done, but would have liked anyway. This plans works, because Grace is a hard worker and eager to help. In time, Grace wins the heart of every member in Dogsville.

But Grace as a secret. She is a fugitive who is wanted by cops and gangsters. Upon discovery, the towns people agree to hide her. But before long, they want a lot more in exchange for hiding her. This is when Dogville reveals a very disturbing side to the otherwise normal front. Grace is made to slave and work double the time. She isn't treated very well, and before long, she even gets raped. But even this fall of the towns people comes with a price.

What makes the movie interesting is its treatment. The entire film is an elaborate theatrical production. The houses in the village are drawn on stage, and each family lives within the chalked confines of the space drawn out for them. The gooseberry bushes and streets are marked out and labeled. The actors walk in and out of their space, with the added pretense of opening and closing imaginary doors. The lighting at the background gives a feel of whether it is daytime or night. The only dog is town is again just a drawing on the floor. However, what gives this entire setting a feeling of normalcy is the narrative. Though set on an empty stage, the omnipresent narrator gives you an insight into the thought process of certain characters, also helping you imagine the beauty amidst which Dogville is situated.

Directed by Lars von Trier, this is a film that you'll either dislike, or find interesting. Nicole Kidman gives a very understated performance as Grace, and is supported by a group of talented actors. The film has a very documentary-like feel, and technically, it is a very simple film. The director uses hand held cameras, and the lighting is very minimal. It feels very experimental, which probably explains why the film faced so much criticism. However, despite its political undertones and unusual treatment, it is a film worth seeing!

You could atleast see it once!