Medea (1988) -for tv-

Director

Lars von Trier

Writing credits

Carl Theodor Dreyer
Preben Thomsen
Lars von Trier
Euripides (play)

Cast

Vera Gebuhr
Ludmilla Glinska ... Glauce
Solbjørg Højfeldt
Henning Jensen ... Kreon
Udo Kier ... Jason
Kirsten Olesen ... Medea
Baard Owe ... Aiceus

Original music by

Joachim Holbek

Cinematography by

Sejr Brockmann

Film Editing by

Finnur Sveinsson

Runtime Austria:75
Denmark
color

STORY

MEDEA is a stark, compelling adaptation of the classical Greek drama, transposed to a pagan Danish setting. Aside from two brief, delirious blue screen video epiphanies, von Trier subordinates his baroque, stylized signature to the simplicity and purity of Dreyer's conception. The resulting tension and narrative economy confirms von Trier as one of the most exciting talents in world cinema. Udo Kier, the star of MEDEA, will appear in person to introduce the film

Created for Danish television in 1988, MEDEA is an updated version of the classic Greek drama about the jealousy and deep sorrow of an abandoned wife and mother and the hatred that ensues. Lars von Trier (ELEMENTS OF CRIME, ZENTROPA) uses the silvery-grey North Sea marshes and a less defined Nordic past as a setting for this immortal drama. Known for his dramatic use of non-traditional lighting and color, von Trier has created a world of mythic realism.

REVIEWS

"Pieces of Masterpieces" by Jonathan Rosenbaum