Lars von Trier's Melancholia has the same plot as Another Earth.
This is the Alchemical Wedding. (The theme lately has been the journey from the girl's--spirit's--perspective.)
The planet Melancholia (a name traditionally applied to Saturn, the alchemical Black Sun) is first seen in the sky on Kirsten Dunst's (the light anima) wedding night. This planet brings Death as the first encounter with Self. Osiris is a Black God. (Sirius Black.)
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| Alchemical bath |
Thus, predictably, Dunst goes all Nigredo on this piece and falls into the slough of despond (descent into the Underworld). (And if you think that this sounds similar to the planet "Mr. Shadow" in The Fifth Element, you would be right.) In Another Earth, the first sighting of Earth 2 is the catalyst for Rhoda being thrown in jail. Princess Diana, too, dies after the first coniunctio.
This is when Charlotte Gainsbourg, the dark anima, takes over, as the light anima has become near-catatonic. These are Betty and Veronica, after a certain manner, "meant to represent two halves of von Trier's psyche," as one reviewer puts it. The father (John Hurt) declares there to be "two Bettys" at the wedding (Dunst being "Justine Betty")--hinting that there exists a light anima at the start of the Work, and another, psychically-whole "Betty" anima at the end of the Work, after having integrated the "Veronica" shadow-anima of the unconscious. Veronica is the daughter of Hiram Lodge; i.e., she is the result of Masonic Initiation.
In this time of crisis, they have to protect the Son, Leo--the nascent Lion King, Harpocrates. Leo calls Dunst "Aunt Steel-Breaker," i.e., the Grace that will open the Black Iron Prison.
Dunst is surrounded by male figures who progressively disappear as Melancholia draws closer, as if to symbolize the gradual dissolution of the ego. Kiefer Sutherland (named John in the film, paralleling Another Earth--JB, Jack Bauer, 24 = 42) goes Suicide King --killing of the Father is a necessary act.
Kirsten Dunst develops strange psychic powers--she's full of secrets. (Previously, Dunst's boss, an advertising executive, attempts to coax from her a "tagline," i.e., the Secret Word of a Master Mason, but he is unworthy of her.) She knows that the old Earth must be destroyed. Melancholia (Self) will impact Earth, bringing about the union of Heaven and Earth.
The two animas and the Son construct a Cave of Magick (the still point of the Self) to withstand the end of the world. As revealed in the film's opening sequence (their death was predestined, like Romeo and Juliet) the New Earth brings the complete incineration of all old forms. It is an apocalypse in every sense of the word. "I have crushed an Universe; & nought remains."
In Another Earth, there is a similar merging of above and below: in the closing moment of the film, Rhoda's Earth 2 twin, the Shekinah above, descends to our Earth to meet our Rhoda, the Shekinah below (this is the Gnostic doctrine of the two Sophias)--the two worlds become one.
"According to Kabalism, there is a Shekinah both above and below. In the superior world it is called Binah, the Supernal Understanding which reflects to the emanations that are beneath. In the lower world it is MaIkuth--that world being, for this purpose, understood as a blessed Kingdom that with which it is made blessed being the Indwelling Glory." (Arthur Waite)
It's Dogville again (another Lars von Trier film)--
"The beautiful fugitive, Grace, arrives in the isolated township of Dogville on the run from a team of gangsters. With some encouragement from Tom, the self-appointed town spokesman, the little community agrees to hide her and in return, Grace agrees to work for them. However, when a search sets in, the people of Dogville demand a better deal in exchange for the risk of harboring poor Grace and she learns the hard way that in this town, goodness is relative."
Grace (Nicole "Kid-Man," the Sun of Man) enters into their midst (being a fugitive from the Curse of the Law) and burns the old city (the Tower) to the ground.
"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."















A gorgeous film. Van Trier's work demands to be seen on the big screen.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reference to "two Betty's" at the wedding, involving Dunst's drunk father and two bridesmaids in blue.
You are some sort of movie-watching machine. Thanks for that reminder, I added a bit that tries to explain it. I've been pinging with Archie's archietypes like crazy lately.
ReplyDeleteI never connected Archie with Archetype (I love The Archietypes written above). The Hiram Lodge is especially telling.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on the seeming importance of the golf course?
I have thrown around the idea of movies with an NC-33 rating, a rating that a film must earn. von Trier definitely aspires to make films of this distinction.
It's Quidditch again, I think. Old men try to use their rods of iron and wood to make a Holy One. That a sexual interpretation is meant seems to be confirmed when Kirsten Dunst fucks the boyish Seeker of the Lost Word (the "tagline") on the golf course. At the end of the film she arrives at the 19th hole--we are in uncharted waters.
ReplyDeleteDonnie Darko also begins on the golf course (the "green," i.e. regeneration) and ends with the destruction of the world.
Birdies and eagles are the goals of golf, and if you're lucky, the double-eagle, also known as an "albatross". It is a game dominated by a Tiger the last ten years. Before that, it was dominated by the Golden Bear.
ReplyDeleteThe lowest round of golf recorded in a professional event is a 59, 13 under par. To my knowledge, no one has ever been under par on every single hole of an 18 hole round, an accomplishment that is attainable, yet seemingly impossible. It is a truly glorious sport.
I watched Muriel's Wedding last week. It was oddly disturbing, yet prescient. The film strongly features ABBA songs, and Muriel, the antagonistic protagonist, finally gets what she wants, which is the perfect alchemical wedding. Oddly this leaves to a divorce, since they learn the true meaning of marriage - Muriel goes back to her dark haired girl. The oft repeated sign is "You can't stop progress!" .
ReplyDeleteAlbert Rosenfield: [to Sheriff Truman] Now you listen to me. While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I am a naysayer and hatchetman in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and I'll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method... is love. I love you Sheriff Truman.
ReplyDeleteJohn Hurt also complains that "there is no spoon" at his table.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure mopey old Lars would balk at the suggestion that he was referencing Archie and The Matrix.
Kirsten Dunst is "Aunt Steel-Breaker." Another prison break--Grace (the plasmate) and the Black Iron Prison (Dogville).
ReplyDeleteThe Castle is the Overlook; Leo is Danny Torrance.
The iron armies are led by three fearsome generals, each representing a different race. These leaders are known as Stormcaller Brundir, Runemaster Molgeim, and Steelbreaker. World of War Craft...
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