Behind Idealism: The Discrepancy between Philosophy and Reality in The Cinema of Lars von Trier

ABSTRACT: “All my life I’ve been interested in the discrepancy between philosophy and reality, between conviction and its implementation.” (Lars von Trier, 2005) Most scholarly attention has so far been directed towards the elements of form and cinematography in Lars von Trier’s work. In this paper I will instead focus on the thematic and philosophical qualities of his work. Through analysis of protagonist types and plot structures, I will show how “the discrepancy between philosophy and reality” functions as a central underlying structure in the films. But also how this discrepancy shifts according to gender and over time in von Trier’s later production. I will also examine von Trier’s ties to nineteenth-century Scandinavian drama and German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. These are important connections which have as yet not received the attention they deserve.