The House That Jack Built (Lars von Trier)

[Spinal]

USA in the 1970s. We follow the highly intelligent Jack over a span of 12 years and are introduced to the murders that define Jack's development as a serial killer. We experience the story from Jack's point of view, while he postulates each murder is an artwork in itself. As the inevitable police intervention is drawing nearer, he is taking greater and greater risks in his attempt to create the ultimate artwork. Along the way we experience Jack's descriptions of his personal condition, problems and thoughts through a recurring conversation with the unknown Verge - a grotesque mixture of sophistry mixed with an almost childlike self-pity and psychopathic explanations. The House That Jack Built is a dark and sinister story, yet presented through a philosophical and occasional humorous tale.

Matt Dillon and Bruno Ganz have been announced as the leads. "4 prominent female roles" to be announced soon.

[Ezee E]

Can't see Matt Dillon as the serial killer, if that's his role. Regardless, this sounds like great Von Trier territory.

[Spinal]

Can't see Matt Dillon as the serial killer, if that's his role. Regardless, this sounds like great Von Trier territory.

Yeah, Dillon is playing Jack. I can't say that I'm crazy about Dillon either, but Ganz is an exciting choice.

[Spinal]

The House That Jack Built celebrates the idea that life is evil and soulless, which is sadly proven by the recent rise of the Homo trumpus – the rat king.

Ok, then.

Anyway, this starts shooting in March and is due to be released next year.

[Dukefrukem]

Teaser

[Spinal]

I'm predicting an Antichrist-like Tomatometer for this one.

[Spinal]

[baby doll]

Why does it seem like serial killers all wear the same glasses?

[Peng]

Hearing that this is even more extreme than Antichrist, hence the non-Competition Cannes slot.

[Idioteque Stalker]

I love Antichrist, but hearing a movie is like Antichrist does not excite me.

[Spinal]

Hearing that this is even more extreme than Antichrist, hence the non-Competition Cannes slot.

I thought it was because he was technically banned after the Melancholia interview mess.

[Peng]

Anything official at all is Fremaux giving his reason for it being out-of-competition as the film is "such a singular object, a subject so controversial, that this was his best place", but some unofficial words from people close to the festival is that 'extreme' comment and that there is some considering for a medical unit at its screening. Might be gimmicky (although I don't think Cannes goes for this kind of stunt too much?), but we will see.

[Dukefrukem]

Oof. Not sure about this anymore.

https://vimeo.com/269485725

[Skitch]

I'm more interested.

[Grouchy]

Looks pretty much like I imagined based on the description we got. Looks pretty good, too.

[transmogrifier]

Dillon looks great but, man, I am really not a fan of movies with serial killers are their central character. I don't find anything particularly interesting in watching someone murder a lot of people and then philosophize about it. I never liked Dexter for the same reason, and I still have not got around to watching Hannibal (the show; Hannibal the movie I have seen, and it suuuucks).

[Spinal]

100 walkouts.

Cracking up.

[Grouchy]

Hahah that's awesome.

Ever seen Man Bites Dog, trans? I think that's the best film with a serial killer as protagonist I've seen, even though it's a comedy it really delves more smartly than most into a psychopathic personality.

[transmogrifier]

Hahah that's awesome.

Ever seen Man Bites Dog, trans? I think that's the best film with a serial killer as protagonist I've seen, even though it's a comedy it really delves more smartly than most into a psychopathic personality.

A long time ago. I don't remember much about it, though I think I liked it. It helps that it really investigates the role of the media in terms of the camera crew's involvement.

I hated Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer as well....

[Grouchy]

Hahah I don't know if Hitchcock would have enjoyed a Von Trier film (although Frenzy shows that he was at least interested in depicting violence on screen more frankly as the times changed) but I know he would have smiled at this random comment from a spectator. Warning, it has a spoiler:

[

Show Spoiler

Talked to someone who walked out of the Lars von Trier film at Cannes: "He mutilates Riley Keough, he mutilates children... and we are all there in formal dress expected to watch it?"

]

[baby doll]

man, I am really not a fan of movies with serial killers are their central character.

Peeping Tom?

[Dukefrukem]

American Psycho?

[Idioteque Stalker]

Weird. Almost all the movies mentioned on this page I do not like. I think I have an aversion to serial killer movies too, but never thought about it.

[transmogrifier]

Peeping Tom?

I liked that one very much, but I think it has a lot going on under the surface that other serial killer films don't. It was Michael Powell, after all!

[transmogrifier]

American Psycho?

Better than the book, which is close to the worst thing I have ever read, but still not all that interesting. It only really works because it leaves the door open for it being all in his imagination.