The Idiots

"The Idiots" tells the story of a community of misfits who pretend to be mentally disabled in order to live outside the restrictions imposed by society, mostly as a means to escape from their bitter pasts. Initially, the film aims to use political incorrectness at all costs to provoke, but as the "plot" progresses, the contradictions of the various members of the commune come to light. The conclusion, although decidedly a punch in the stomach, remains strangely subdued compared to the director's usual style. This is Von Trier's first and last experiment within the guidelines he set with "Dogme 95": the exclusive use of handheld cameras, minimal editing, no artificial lighting or decorated sets, microphones popping up everywhere, and so on. I'm not entirely sure if I appreciated or enjoyed the film, but it remains a unique episode with an undoubtedly singular premise.