It’s almost a miracle actresses want to work with Lars Von Trier. With his attitude to his female characters often labelled as misogynistic and the likes of Bjork saying how he likes his actresses to suffer (it’s one of the reasons she’s never made a movie since Dancer In The Dark), you’d think people would steer clear. However The Playlist has dug up some European reports that say Penelope Cruz has signed on to star in Von Trier’s latest, Melancholia (previously titled Planet Melancholia).
To be honestm as Von Trier’s movies are generally hideously depressing anyway, one called Melancholia just seems to be taking the piss, especially as he’s already promised in ironic fashion, “No more happy endings!” The film seems to be about a giant planet that looms threateningly close to Earth, although the film is more a psychological thriller with sci-fi elements than a full-on science fiction flick and explores the psychological view of a disaster.
Part of the reason it’s said Von Trier is said to be difficult to work with is that he’s prone to depression and filmmaking seems to be some sort of therapy. As a result it’s his female leads who tend to get whisked into his emotional tumult and often come out feeling shaken by the experience. It’s certainly noticeable that none of the main women who’ve appeared in his film have ever returned to work with him again, so hopefully Penelope knows what’s she’s getting into.
Shooting on Mealcholia is due to begin later this year, with plans to premiere the movie at Cannes 2011.