Lars von Trier takes the luscious fruit of "the American Dream", peels off the pretty facade, and reveals the ugliness, vanity, and judgment underneath. Yes, Dogville could be any town in the world, but it fits 21st century USA too well to ignore the connection.
The early theme of the film is, "You people need to be more accepting," which flies in the face of American self-sufficiency. We can make it alone through hard work and faith in God. We don't need anything from "outsiders".
When Tom introduces Grace and tells the denizens of Dogville that she will provide them with a chance to display their generosity and compassion, they are extremely skeptical. One of the delights of this film is watching that seed of skepticism evolve, first into a small plant of teamwork and trust, then later into a huge, monstrous tree of hate and intolerance.
There are many ways to analyze this film, but what first came to me was that it was an allegory of America's disdain for welfare. Grace must offer herself to the community and do little jobs for them in return for shelter. At first they must create work for her (she can do "things you don't want done"), but slowly the citizens expectations and demands increase, and they lord their power over her with threats and insults, much the same way many Americans act towards poor people who are on welfare ("They're lazy, they should get a job, they're not one of us."). Eventually Grace becomes literally "chained" to the community, a slave and criminal. Finally the citizens just want Tom to get rid of her, so similar to how much of America would like to have their poor and homeless problem just go away.
Another theme constantly repeated throughout the film is the theme of "arrogance". Grace mentions more than once the sin of arrogance, and it is most certainly that which brings about the violent conclusion of Dogville. America and arrogance? I'll let the readers decide the legitimacy of that connection.
"Dogville" is also about the presence of evil in all human beings. People appear decent on the surface, but given the right mixture of circumstances and motivations we are all capable of terrible acts. Following said acts we are also capable of rationalizing our behavior and deluding ourselves into believing we acted morally, perhaps even heroically. Patriots commit atrocities for their flag. True believers do likewise for their God.
Bravo to the brilliant Mr. von Trier for exposing the dark underbelly of the American Dream in such a pointed and creative way.
The early theme of the film is, "You people need to be more accepting," which flies in the face of American self-sufficiency. We can make it alone through hard work and faith in God. We don't need anything from "outsiders".
When Tom introduces Grace and tells the denizens of Dogville that she will provide them with a chance to display their generosity and compassion, they are extremely skeptical. One of the delights of this film is watching that seed of skepticism evolve, first into a small plant of teamwork and trust, then later into a huge, monstrous tree of hate and intolerance.
There are many ways to analyze this film, but what first came to me was that it was an allegory of America's disdain for welfare. Grace must offer herself to the community and do little jobs for them in return for shelter. At first they must create work for her (she can do "things you don't want done"), but slowly the citizens expectations and demands increase, and they lord their power over her with threats and insults, much the same way many Americans act towards poor people who are on welfare ("They're lazy, they should get a job, they're not one of us."). Eventually Grace becomes literally "chained" to the community, a slave and criminal. Finally the citizens just want Tom to get rid of her, so similar to how much of America would like to have their poor and homeless problem just go away.
Another theme constantly repeated throughout the film is the theme of "arrogance". Grace mentions more than once the sin of arrogance, and it is most certainly that which brings about the violent conclusion of Dogville. America and arrogance? I'll let the readers decide the legitimacy of that connection.
"Dogville" is also about the presence of evil in all human beings. People appear decent on the surface, but given the right mixture of circumstances and motivations we are all capable of terrible acts. Following said acts we are also capable of rationalizing our behavior and deluding ourselves into believing we acted morally, perhaps even heroically. Patriots commit atrocities for their flag. True believers do likewise for their God.
Bravo to the brilliant Mr. von Trier for exposing the dark underbelly of the American Dream in such a pointed and creative way.