It's been a while since we've heard of Lars von Trier. The master of Danish cinema has been recognized since the early 90s as one of the greatest exponents in the European scene, after having given life, together with his colleague Thomas Vinterberg, to the "Dogma 95" movement - based on a cinematic narration free from the use of special effects - and creating works of great depth such as "The Breaking the Waves", "Dancer in the Dark" or the more recent "Melancholia".
Also making a name for himself for some highly provocative statements, so much so that in recent years he has been barred from the most prestigious events, the director has caused no small amount of concern for his current health conditions: after discovering that he suffers from Parkinson's disease, the hypothesis that his career was coming to an end has become increasingly likely.
On the occasion of the 2022 release of “The Kingdom Exodus,” the sequel to the television series “The Kingdom,” Trier gave The New Yorker an extensive interview, dwelling on the reasons that would motivate him to make a new film today: “I don’t have this idea that there’s a film that I haven’t made yet that needs to be made, right now. Also, because of this Parkinson’s that I’m dealing with, I could live without making any more films. I’m very aware of the risk in making what I call old-age films. These are the films that happen because you have a house that’s too big, and you’re trying to repeat your success.”
But despite the problems related to the pathology, the maestro has not hidden his desire to continue his passion, stating in a statement released a few months earlier: "I just have to get used to the fact that my hands are shaking and start not being ashamed of it in front of people. And then continue, because what else should I do?". Confirming this, the first rumors about his new project came last May from Word Of Reel. The tip-off seems to have come from an anonymous European producer, who during the last edition of the Cannes Film Festival anticipated the news to some trusted sources, while maintaining maximum secrecy on further details.
More reliable news about the filmmaker's return arrived a few days ago: according to information released by AFP, the new film will be titled "After" and will benefit from funding from the Danish Film Institute. As already anticipated in recent months, filming should begin at the end of this year and once again the cast will welcome Stellan Skarsgård , a Swedish actor with a well-established reputation on the international market who has been collaborating with the director for many years, for example his latest appearance in the disconcerting "Nymhomaniac".
On Trier's return to directing, Skarsgård had already expressed himself some time ago, declaring that his precarious health conditions were finally improving and that plans for the production of a new film were starting to take hold : «He is improving, now that he can be treated. So much so that he is shooting a new film». After the feature film released in 2018 "The House That Jack Built", considered among his best works, the hope of seeing another film by Lars von Trier on the big screen is becoming increasingly felt.
