By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com
Har, har, Lars, superstar: Trier and now; Peter Aalbaek-Jensen is naked
The bane of the Danes is up for denying contemporary resonance for his latest flick-you to Emma Bell of the Independent: “It’s an unseasonally hot day in Copenhagen. Lars… Trier invites me to sit outside by the pool at Zentropa, the coalition of production companies he co-owns with Peter Aalbaek-Jensen. Von Trier is a taut, endearingly hectic little man; friendly, if agitated. I ask about the politics of his… films. “Oh shit! That sounds dangerous… The political part of my work, it’s nothing I’m proud of…” … Publicity material claims that Manderlay is a metaphor for… Bush’s aggressive interventions in Iraq: Grace cannot understand how her compassionate imposition of democracy turns into dictatorial severity, and Manderlay’s slaves demand their own oppression, preferring the certainty of captivity… The director has retreated somewhat… “It’s not necessarily about Bush. You can see the film like that, but it was written before Iraq. But why make a film that would do just that? I would never make a film like that.” … Zentropa boss Aalbaek-Jensen dives into the pool, splashing us. “Why does he have to do that while we sit here!” scowls… Trier. “This is my producer. He keeps in the background, as you can see. But now he has succeeded in making us completely aware of his presence.” One could not fail to notice Aalbaek-Jensen; he’s naked… Something of a circus is going on at Zentropa. Aalbaek-Jensen is parading naked again… Trier rebukes him: “Peter! Could you put on some clothes please?” Aalbaek-Jensen crossly retorts that he’s “not trying to shock anybody”… Does he prefer that his films remain difficult and opaque? “Oh yes, absolutely. I would prefer that!” … as his PDA beeps. “Sorry, I have to go to my yoga class now…” He bows, clasping his hands in prayer and offering a peaceful “Prana”.