Kirsten Dunst Interview For Lars von Trier’s ‘Melancholia’

A powerful and reflective movie, ‘Melancholia’ is written and directed by Lars von Trier (Antichrist, Dogville) and produced by Meta Louise Foldager and Louise Vesth for Zentropa Entertainments27. ’Melancholia’ received its world premiere in competition at the Cannes International Film Festival where Kirsten Dunst was awarded the best actress prize. Dunst stars alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier and Jesper Christensen. The film is set for release September 30th in the UK. In the US ‘Melancholia’ premieres on VOD October 7th, while its theatrical release is November 11th. Check out what Kirsten Dunst had to say about the film below. Look out for a more in-depth interview in October.

What was it like working with Lars von Trier, that must have been a huge draw for you in taking on this role?

Kirsten Dunst: Oh yeah. I was drawn to the project because, to me, Lars von Trier is the only film maker who specifically makes films for women, who can be ugly and messy, and not this perfect idea of what women should be in film. I was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Lars, he doesn’t make that many movies. It was an opportunity that I went in with an open vulnerability and trust because of the way that Lars presents himself to you. Now I feel like I have a good friend as well.

If this film is not about the end of the world, it is certainly about the culture of fear and depression in people, how you feel about that?

Kirsten Dunst: The depression and the kind of unravelling of my character Justine at the beginning of her wedding, she feels sort of alienated, that sort of throws her into a depression. But I also think that what’s interesting about her is that as the world is coming to an end, the most horrible tragedy that could ever happen, she gets stronger and stronger and she is the one that brings them together. In terms of Lars and working with women, I commend him, there are not many female roles out there like this, where you can be crazy and vulnerable and strange, you can be whatever you want. That’s a freedom that’s very scary, but also gives you a braveness that I took with me onto other projects after this.

What was the work process like on this film? What sort of state of mind did you have to put yourself in to play Justine?

Kirsten Dunst: I think the intimacy Lars creates on set automatically makes you emotionally available, and then we do as much as we have to do. We do as many takes or different ways until he’s happy, I hope (laughs). The process is very freeing, kind of anything goes, then you rein it in or the other way around. We often did takes that lasted five minutes, when do you get to do that!? With that there’s a freedom and a breaking down of walls. It’s not, ’This is your close-up, this is your wide-shot,’ all those things are thrown away and so you are left with a very natural way of just being.