Melancholia is a 2011 apocalyptic drama film written and directed by Lars von Trier, starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård and Kiefer Sutherland. The narrative revolves around two sisters during and shortly after one’s wedding, while Earth is about to collide with an approaching rogue planet. The film prominently features music from the prelude to Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde (1857–59).
| Directed by | Lars von Trier |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Meta Louise Foldager Louise Vesth |
| Written by | Lars von Trier |
| Starring | Kirsten Dunst Charlotte Gainsbourg Kiefer Sutherland |
| Cinematography | Manuel Alberto Claro |
| Editing by | Molly Malene Stensgaard |
| Studio | Zentropa |
| Distributed by | Nordisk Film |
| Release date(s) |
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| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | Denmark Sweden France Germany[1] |
| Language | English |
Plot
The film begins with an introductory sequence involving the main characters and images from space and introducing many of the film’s visual leitmotifs.[3] The film continues in two parts.
Part One: “Justine”
A young couple, Justine and Michael, arrive late at their wedding reception at the family estate where Justine’s sister, Claire, and her husband, John, live. On several occasions, Justine looks at a particular red star, which seems to shine brighter than normal; John identifies it as Antares.
Over the course of the evening, Justine is frustrated by various personal and professional difficulties. Her mother insults her in a toast. Justine’s boss repeatedly harasses her to write ad copy. Claire becomes frustrated with Justine and chastises her for not reacting to the reception with the joy she had anticipated. Justine drifts away from the party several times. Michael attempts to console Justine with a wedding present – an apple orchard – but Justine seems unmoved. When she and Michael retreat to their room for the evening, she brushes off his advances and goes walking on the grounds, where she has sex with a coworker. At the end of the party, Michael leaves her. At dawn the next day, Claire takes Justine horseback riding; Justine notices that the red star has disappeared.
Part Two: “Claire”
Justine has become severely depressed and stays with Claire and John. Justine is unable to carry out normal everyday activities, but gets better over time.
John explains that the reason for Antares’ disappearance was the rogue planet Melancholia, which has eclipsed the star. Melancholia, a blue planet that had formerly been hidden behind the sun, becomes visible in the sky, approaching Earth. John is excited about the planet, and looks forward to the “fly-by” expected by scientists.
Melancholia’s first approach and final collision with Earth, as described (and shown briefly in a similar diagram) in the film
Claire is very fearful that the end of the world is imminent, despite her husband’s assertions that their family is safe. She searches the Internet and finds a site describing the movements of the planet Melancholia around Earth will bring the planets into collision soon thereafter. Justine tells Claire that life on Earth is evil, and that Melancholia will hit. On the night of the fly-by, it seems that Melancholia will not hit Earth. The next day, Claire realizes that Melancholia is circling back and will collide with Earth after all. John, who has come to the same realization, commits suicide.
Faced with the impending collision, Claire becomes distraught and suggests getting together at the end on the terrace with wine and music. In response, Justine demeans Claire’s idea before going to comfort Claire’s son, Leo. She makes him a protective “magic cave” on the lawn of the estate. Justine, Claire and Leo enter the shelter as the planet approaches. Finally, Melancholia collides with Earth.
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