Dancer in the Dark

Selma is a Hungarian factory worker who has emigrated to the USA. She works night and day to make money for an expensive eye operation for her son who risks becoming blind if he is not operated on in time. Selma who also suffers from the same eye disease is losing her sight as the movie progresses. Just as Selma has saved up enough money, she is cruelly deceived by one she thought was her friend.

Dancer in the Dark is an innovative modern musical with powerful songs written and performed by Icelandic Björk as Selma. As a melodrama the film is less successful although I am sure that many will cry their eyes out towards the end of the film. I did not. I found the filmmaker Lars von Trier's manipulation too obvious and Selma's childish naivety and unlimited goodness both annoying and unrealistic.