Selma is a Czech immigrant, a single mother working in a factory in rural America. She escapes the hardships of her tough life through the films that inspired her childhood. In her imagination she sees the world as an all-singing all-dancing Hollywood musical. But Selma harbours a secret: she is losing her eyesight and unless she can save enough money to pay for an operation her 10 year-old son will inherit her blindness. When a desperate neighbour falsely accuses Selma of stealing, her life begins to slip beyond her control and propels itself towards a tragic and numbing finale. Dancer in the Dark is one of the most controversial films of recent years. It is groundbreaking, compelling and utterly unforgettable. Björk’s award-winning performance is guaranteed to provoke.
Film Crew
- : Lars Von Trier
- : Lars Von Trier
- : Vibeke Windeløv
- : Lars Jönsson
- : Peter Aalbaek Jensen
- : Björk
- : Per Streit
- : François Gédigier
- : Manon Rasmussen
- : Anders Refn
- : Robby Müller
Technical Information
- Couleur
- English
Keywords
Images
Videos
-
"Dancer in the Dark" is not like any other movie at the multiplex this week, or this year. It is not a "well made film," is not in "good taste," is not "plausible" or, for many people, "entertaining." But it smashes down the walls of habit that surround so many movies. It returns to the wellsprings. It is a bold, reckless gesture.
Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun Times -
If nothing else, Mr. von Trier is a brilliant engineer of dread; Selma's every moment seems to contain the possibility of suffering, humiliation or betrayal. She wears her guileless, faltering vulnerability like a target on her back, and the movie follows her through the stations of her martyrdom like a medieval pageant.
A.O.Scott, The New York Times






Lars von Trier is a master filmmaker, as proven by this film, where he can go against normal convention by shooting on video (the antithesis of film) and still create a beautiful and inspiring movie. The reality that the shooting style portrays is further strengthened by Bjork's unwavering performance throughout and the musical set pieces are a joy to watch.