The argument about human beings and human beings and humanity, we have never received a correct answer for that. There is always one hand stick to the point of view that humanity is basically good. On the other hand, a lot more people believe that the natures of humanity are awful, ugly and dark.
The movie “Dogville” directed by Lars Von Trier who is a Danish film director and screenwriter. He is associated with the Dogme 95 collective. The Dogme 95 is an avant-garde filmmaking movement started in 1995 by some Danish directors including Lars Von Trier. The purpose of the Dogme 95 is to purify film making by refusing expensive and spectacular computer effects. They believe that a excellent film needs to focus more on the actual story and the actors’ performances. The audiences may also be more engaged to the story without have overproduction to alienate them from the narrative, themes and moods. In this case, the film “Dogville” is setting in the 1930s’ American town which the whole scenery is entirely constructed on a soundstage with marks on the floor indicating houses, street names and gooseberry bushes. The movie is talking about a girl called Grace who escape from a group of gangsters and arrives in Dogville. Therefore, the people from the town agree to hide her, the condition is Grace needs to work for them. Everything is harmonious in the beginning, until the police come to the town and noted that Grace is wanted. The townspeople want a better deal in exchange for the higher risk of keeping Grace in the town. Grace has to work more and earn less. After that, it doesn’t take long for the worm to turn and the town’s true intentions to come through, as they exploit, and manipulate Grace, even unwarranted insult her…
People feel depressive while watching the movie. The theme of the movie weighed heavily on my mind and a big question mark come over my head why the townspeople are become so awful and what makes them change their mind? In the chapter one, Grace and Tom stand outside of the shop watch the figurines in the shop window and tom says “Those awful figurines say more about the people in this town, than many words.” But Grace retorted upon him “All I see is a beautifully little town in the midst of magnificent mountains, a place where people have hopes and dreams even under the hardest conditions. And seven figurines that are not awful at all.” From these quotes we can see the primary impression of Dogville and people lives in here toward Grace are such so glorious, even she always believe Tom can see through everything. The essence behind these so called “beautifully little town in the midst of magnificent mountains, a place where people have hopes and dreams” is the darkest and turest humanity which has not been concealed yet.
It is the basic human nature that people always want to get what they want and be what they want to be. After the police came and wanted Grace, townspeople feel compunction about hiding Grace. People lives in the town treat themselves as “square John”. To balance their conscience, just like the title of chapter 6 “In which Dogville bares its teeth”. The kids tease her because she has a kind-heart and never get mad. Orchardist Chuck threatened her with telling police she is hiding in Dogville and rape her. The physical and emotional burden becomes heavier to Grace. But she choice grins and bears it. At the same time, Grace’s moral belief and sympathy has slowly faded away.
At the end of the movie, Grace recognize that there are nothing big different between her gangster father. The only different is the people lives the town are cowardice and awful. They also want to be evil but they don’t have courage. All they can do is use somebody else to satisfy their needs. Therefore, at the end, Grace said “If there is any town this world would be better without, this is it.” After a massacre, “A beautifully little town in the midst of magnificent mountains” is no longer existed.
Let go back to the beginning of the movie, why the people in Dogville looks poor and backward but in Grace’s mind they are honest and goodness. The answer for this is because the town has less contact with outside. In addition, they are not wealthy and have no conflict of interest. These make the town not to seek fame and wealth. But it doesn’t mean people lived here are the salt of the earth. If there is a great interest coming from the outside world. The conflict will occur and everything will change tremendously. Grace is that great interest come from outside. Indubitable, serving ourselves before the needs of others has always been our flaw. This also is the nature of humanity.
After the movie, ask yourself a question, if you are one of the townspeople, would you use Grace to satisfy your needs. Behind the profit, you will concern about yourself more or somebody else. Dogville is reflected the whole world. Ask yourself is that people’s relationship built on exchange demand. We all know human nature is greedy. When you give people more, they will take more; finally, they are used to what they have. Grace’s experience in the Dogville is a good example. Tom says to Grace: Dogville has offered you two weeks. Now you offer them…”
Director Lars Von Trier is good at describe character’s inner world by using different film techniques. In the movie “Dogville” he has used the special technique to shoot this file, the whole movie looking more like a grand stage play. As movie industry developed, lots of film maker depend on computer effects, ignore the nature of story. “Dogville” used the way which ignore the camera technique but produce the best possible result on music and plot. Let the audience really get into the development of plot. Not just enjoy the unreal effect made by computer. “Dogville” gives you great imaginary space because the movie setting on the cavernous soundstage with buildings and trees represented by line drawings on the ground with a description in block letters. The audiences have to imagine all the scenes. Also the audience can pay more attention on the acting skills. The whole movie shoots by hand-held by following the rule of Dogme 95.
However, the movie “Dogville” is beautiful piece of filmmaking from one of the true geniuses of modern cinema; it also is a mirror, a perfect and important mirror, and a mirror that reflects both the darkness and the brilliance of humanity.
Appendix:
Rule "Vow of Chastity," made by Dogme 95 are as follows:
1. Filming must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought in. If a particular prop is necessary for the story, a location must be chosen where this prop is to be found.
2. The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa. Music must not be used unless it occurs within the scene being filmed, i.e., diegetic.
3. The camera must be a hand-held camera. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. The film must not take place where the camera is standing; filming must take place where the action takes place.
4. The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable (if there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a single lamp be attached to the camera).
5. Optical work and filters are forbidden.
6. The film must not contain superficial action (murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.)
7. Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden (that is to say that the film takes place here and now).
8. Genre movies are not acceptable.
9. The final picture must be transferred to the Academy 35mm film, with an aspect ratio of 4:3, that is, not widescreen. Originally, the requirement was that the film had to be filmed on Academy 35mm film, but the rule was relaxed to allow low-budget productions.
10. The director must not be credited.
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