The body parts in question, as one might assume, did not belong to Gainsbourg or Dafoe, both having used body doubles (It's worth noting that Von Trier once oversaw his own adult film studio, which had its own manifesto of ethics). One of the first shots of 'Antichrist' is a closeup of sexual penetration, shot in black and white, and projected in super slow-motion. It is confrontational and difficult, but it is certainly powerful.īecause sex and sexuality are such pervasive themes of 'Antichrist,' and because so much of the drama comes from the two leads' sexual relationship to one another, a good deal of nudity was required from both actors.
'Antichrist' looks hard at that despair, then looks closer, and continues to look closer for several more minutes after you desperately want to look away. Depression is an intruder that warps its victims into accepting a worldview wherein nothing has light or purpose, least of all its host. Few films have bothered to delve into the true nature of despair the way 'Antichrist' does.
