UNITED KINGDOM: Stars Kirsten Dunst and John Hurt attend the UK premiere of Lars von Trier's apocalyptic psychological drama "Melancholia"

Record ID: 218872

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Stars Kirsten Dunst and John Hurt attend the UK premiere of Lars von Trier's apocalyptic psychological drama "Melancholia"
  • Date: 30th September 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 28, 2011) (REUTERS) CURZON MAYFAIR CINEMA, LONDON (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) SIGN OUTSIDE CINEMA SHOWING 'MELANCHOLIA PREMIERE KIRSTEN DUNST JOHN HURT' FILM POSTER/GIRLS WAITING FOR ACTRESS KIRSTEN DUNST AND ACTOR JOHN HURT TO ARRIVE PRAISE FOR DUNST ON POSTER SIMON PEGG, ACTOR AND WRITER, SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS FOR FANS DUNST ARRIVING IN CAR AND GREETING FANS TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS DUNST SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS DUNST OUTFIT OF NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD SHOES, HONOR DRESS AND CHANEL JEWELRY DUNST BEING GREETED BY HURT AND KISSING ONE ANOTHER/BOTH SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS HURT POSING FOR FAN PHOTOGRAPH DUNST PHOTOCALL/PHOTOGRAPHERS PHOTOGRAPHERS
  • Embargoed: 15th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVAEBLU1DZAFW0XLL94Y1UQ9VT8K
  • Story Text: Stars of the new Lars von Trier apocalyptic psychological drama "Melancholia", Kirsten Dunst and John Hurt, attended the UK premiere in London on Wednesday evening (September 28), accompanied by child actor in the film, Cameron Spurr.
    The latest film project from the controversial Danish film-maker won Dunst 'Best Actress' award in Cannes 2011, even after von Trier jokingly called himself a Nazi and Hitler sympathizer, causing a worldwide furore and Festival ban.
    The actress who was dressed in an Honor dress, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes and Chanel jewellery for the event -- that saw guests including actor and writer Simon Pegg -- greeted fans and her co-star Hurt outside the Curzon Mayfair cinema before posing for pictures.
    Dunst dismissed claims by some that von Trier's work is misogynistic, especially after 2009's "Antichrist" that depicted graphic sexual mutilation, among other controversial subjects. She agreed with von Trier who called this film "a woman's film" after seeing the poster suggestion, and said he is very pro women -- many of whom worked creatively on set.
    "To me, Lars is one of the only people writing roles like this for women," said Dunst. "So, to me, I never found him misogynistic, and I don't think I could have given a vulnerable performance if I didn't feel safe with my director."
    Asked whether in light of the film-maker's recent controversial comments at Cannes, Dunst believes "Melancholia" stands a chance of getting an Oscar nod, she replied:
    "I would love it. I'd be so honoured and my family would be so excited for me, and I think the film speaks for itself."
    The film, which is primarily about melancholy or a state of depression, is split into two parts called "Justine" and "Claire" that represent the two sisters of a less than harmonious family, the father of which is Dexter, played by Hurt, who is divorced from the girls' mother, Gaby (Charlotte Rampling).
    Part One follows Justine (Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) who are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the castle home of her sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and brother-in-law, John (Kiefer Sutherland).
    Meanwhile, in Part Two, the planet, Melancholia, is heading towards Earth on a collision course, which frightens Claire as she has more to lose than her depressive sister Justine, like her young son, Leo (Spurr), and comfortable life with scientist husband John, who heads up the team tracking Melancholia.
    Asked whether she fears any cosmic collisions with Earth, Dunst -- who thought she was being asked about "cosmetic collisions", like a flying make-up bag -- laughs, then says it doesn't bother her.
    "Yeah, I'm not really worried. Yeah, it's more of a metaphor in the film, I think," said Dunst.
    Meanwhile Hurt who stars briefly in this film is also in the UK Box Office number one film, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", based on the John Le Carre spy novel. Asked whether he was enjoying a new chapter in his career, Hurt told Reuters:
    "I don't know. It's just one of those times when everything seems to be coming out at the same time, you know," said Hurt. "Life hasn't changed [laughs] that much, but I'm very thrilled that 'Tinker Tailor [Soldier Spy]' and 'Melancholia', and I think I've got another film coming out later in the year, perhaps, 'Jayne Mansfield's Car'. Yes, I mean, things that I've really enjoyed doing hugely."
    Hurt has nothing but praise for von Trier and his work, too, and believes far from being misunderstood at times, the film-maker is "highly perceptive".
    "I mean he maybe somewhat caught controversy, but he's a very brilliant man, a very brilliant film-maker and you know, we queue up to work with people like that, of course we do," explains Hurt. "He's one of the major directors of our period."
    Spurr, who was attending his first ever premiere on the night, said that although he was looking forward to seeing his face on the big screen, he was also a little anxious. He described exactly what his debut acting role as Leo entailed.
    "Basically, only cry and sleep, that's... and say a few lines but that's pretty much all I did," laughs Spurr who admits to being interested in Space and its transport, as well as loving the planet Jupiter "because it's the biggest".
    Lars von Trier says in the film's production notes that Dunst's part of Justine is "based a lot on my person and my experiences with doomsday prophecies and depression. Whereas Claire is meant to be a... normal person".
    The film's initial idea developed during a conversation and letter exchange with Spanish actress Penelope Cruz who wanted to make a film with him, and loved "The Maids" by French dramatist Jean Genet, in which two maids kill their mistress. Von Trier based "Melancholia" on this play, substituting the characters of the maids for the sisters.
    Cruz who was von Trier's first choice for the role of Justine had to pull out due to work commitments, to be replaced by Dunst.
    "Melancholia" is out on September 30 in the UK and in October in the USA.
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