“Björk’s 59th Birthday Bash: DANCER iN THE DARK (2000) in 35mm + Music Videos”
November 21, 2024

Celebrate the 59th birthday of surrealist pop star Björk on Thursday, November 21 (on her actual birthday!) We will be screening a slew of her groundbreaking music videos directed by Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Stéphane Sednaoui, Chris Cunningham and Andrew Thomas Huang. These will be followed by a rare 35mm print of Lars von Trier’s DANCER iN THE DARK (2000), which won Björk Best Actor in a Female Performance at the Cannes Film Festival. A special screen print will be given to all attendees designed by Chantal Nieto along with a gaggle of trivia, prizes and giveaways.

Dancer in the Dark
7:00 pm

Released in 2000, Rated R, 140 minutes long

Directed by Lars von Trier
Written by Lars von Trier
Cinematography by Robby Müller
Containing Björk, Catherine Denuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare

Watch the trailer

Inspired by his Dogme 95 movement, writer/director Lars von Trier won the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival (Palme d’Or) along with crowning Björk with the Best Actor in a female performance. Björk is truly and absolutely hypnotic as Selma, a Czech immigrant whose daily routines include working at a local factory, raising her 12-year-old son and practicing for the small town’s stage musical. Filmed in the year 2000, right on the cusp of the digital revolution, the musical sequences were captured simultaneously with over 100 digital cameras by the legendary cinematographer Robby Müller (of Wim Wenders & Jim Jarmusch films.)

The results are more than breathtaking. This is a one-of-kind-film made for audiences who “don’t like musicals” while also channelling such classics as Vincente Minnelli’s THE BANDWAGON (1953) and Jacques Demy’s THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (1963). Throw in heartfelt performances by Catherine Deneuve, David Morse and Peter Stormare and you have an experience that you will sincerely, never forget. Running Time: 140 minutes. Rated R for “severe and frightening scenes.” Widescreen 35mm print. Rights courtesy of Warner Brothers.