Film: Melancholia Lars von Trier's most recent film, Melancholia, is a study of two characters: Justine and Claire. With an impending collision with a planet named Melancholia, von Trier studies depression and what we, as humans, would do in out last moments alive. Textured, haunting and unforgettable are just a few ways to describe this terrific film. Kirstin Dunst gives the performance of her career as the frail bride-to-be Justine and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as always, delivers a nuanced, touching and highly commendable performance as Justine's troubled sister, Claire. The cinematography is beautiful and the use of Wagner's prelude to Tristan and Isolde serves to compliment the imagery perfectly in the opening and closing moments of this cinematic tour de force. Like many of von Trier's previous films, the use of hand held camerawork makes the action that bit more personal and intimate. Melancholia ranks as one of the best films of 2011 and deserves to be seen.
Literature: Joan Didion - Blue Nights
Although Joan Didion's most recent work may be seen as a follow up to her most famous memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking, Didion again manages to weave a web emroided and rife with emotion without straying too close to her previous work. Didion's work has always felt cathartic, and this does not change with Blue Nights - a novel about her daughter's death - as Didion seems to use words to challenge herself, making herself come to terms with events that have shaken her. Albeit Blue Nights can feel repetitive in parts and somewhat frustrating as Didion appears to not want to tackle the very difficult parts of her daughter's life, it is an interesting read which, as the reader, I could only find myself respecting and admiring.
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