The Idiots (1998)
A film by Lars von Trier
This is a challenging picture from Danish director Lars von Trier. Made under the rules of the Dogma 95 manifesto - shot in a homemade, amateurish, but very effective style - the film follows a group of people who get a thrill out of behaving like a mentally retarded person in public places or ‘spassing' has they call it. They explain that they want to release their ‘inner idiot'. They seem to get a bigger thrill the more dangerous the situation is - an example being when they leave one of the 'spassers' alone with a group of tattooed punk types. It is also graphic in parts - the orgy scene is revealing. It is sad and affecting, but sometimes funny. They meet and introduce a shy lady named Karen to the group, who at first disapproves but eventually succumbs and becomes a member, and then ends up getting involved over her head.
This is a powerful film that should be seen. Von Trier is no stranger to this sort of work. His previous film, Breaking the Waves, was also compelling and affecting. This is a great example of raw and talented filmmaking. Brilliant.
