A 280-minute Danish hospital fever dream where the devil works in medical administration.
The mutant fetus is born. Dr. Helmer comes under heavy scrutiny for a botched operation that left a patient braindead, and begins to dabble in the dark arts in order to ward off those seeking an end to his career. Hypochondriac Mrs. Drusse finally does have something bad happen to her medically when an ambulance hits her.
Direction
Von Trier's handheld chaos turns a hospital into purgatory.
Acting
Ernst-Hugo Järegård's Helmer: cowardice as high art.
Production
Filmed on a disused mental hospital. Method production design.
Director
Lars von Trier
Ernst-Hugo Järegård
Stig Helmer
Kirsten Rolffes
Sigrid Drusse
Holger Juul Hansen
Einer Moesgaard
Søren Pilmark
Jørgen Krogshøj
Ghita Nørby
Rigmor Mortensen
Jens Okking
Bulder Harly Drusse
Birthe Neumann
Fru Svendsen
Otto Brandenburg
Hansen
Erik Wedersøe
Ole
Baard Owe
Palle Bondo
Birgitte Raaberg
Judith Petersen
John Hahn-Petersen
Nivesen
Peter Mygind
Morten "Mogge" Moesgaard
Vita Jensen
Opvasker #1
Morten Rotne Leffers
Opvasker #2
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rigshospitalet, the real Copenhagen hospital, reportedly loved the publicity. Staff still reference 'the Kingdom' to this day.
Von Trier originally wanted five seasons; this was supposed to be the middle. The 2022 revival finally gave us closure. Mostly.
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