The Idiots

The Danish film The Idiots, subtitled Idiot film about idiots for idiots, has been provoking audiences since the day of its premiere. Shortly after its completion and screening at the Festival de Cannes, film critics and the public were divided into two irreconcilable camps—those who are in love with Lars von Trier and his work, others who condemn it. In a family house on the outskirts of Copenhagen live a group of intellectuals who share a particular pastime—they play at being idiots, people who are disabled in various ways, and deliberately provoke those around them. On a walk, in a restaurant, in a swimming pool, on a factory excursion…

DK/FR/NL/IT, 1998, 112 min.; dk / cz tit