In 1933, a young woman and her father discover an Alabama plantation whose inhabitants live as if slavery had never been abolished. Feeling a sense of duty to those behind the heavy gates, she stays to liberate the people and see them through their first harvest. With four of her father's colleagues and a lawyer, she faces the daunting task of resurrecting the place known as Manderlay.
Direction
Von Trier's theatrical minimalism stabs you repeatedly.
Acting
Howard's desperate optimism curdles perfectly.
Writing
The 'Mam's Law' scene will haunt your ethics.
Director
Lars von Trier
Bryce Dallas Howard
Grace Margaret Mulligan
Isaach de Bankolé
Timothy
Danny Glover
Wilhelm
Willem Dafoe
Grace's Father
Michaël Abiteboul
Thomas
Lauren Bacall
Mam
Jean-Marc Barr
Mr. Robinsson
Geoffrey Bateman
Bertie
Virgile Bramly
Edward
Ruben Brinkman
Bingo
Doña Croll
Venus
Jeremy Davies
Niels
Llewella Gideon
Victoria
Mona Hammond
Old Wilma
John Hurt
Narrator (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot entirely on a bare Fisketorvet stage with chalk outlines and no physical sets—pure theatrical minimalism. Von Trier was banned from Cannes shortly after for Nazi 'jokes' at the press conference.
The 'Mam's Law' contract—where freed slaves vote to maintain their own oppression—ruthlessly satirizes how systems coerce complicity. It's von Trier's American critique, though many found a Danish director's take on US race relations... choice.
No ratings yet
Reactions from the web
Narrator enjoying this too much
@yassinsabry6016 7
I watched this movie yesterday for the first time and I really liked it. The minimalistic presentation worked for me and the lighting was beautiful. Bryce Dallas Howard and Danny Glover were perfect picks for their roles. The message was sophisticated and quite surprising, not at all what it first appears to be.
@Shaewaros 31
anybody know the name of the song in the trailer ?
@KimboKam 12
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
DK
GB
