It's such a simple story but it says so much. Dancer in the Dark. Bjork. How could I have missed it before? Cannes Palme d'Or prize. Best Actress Award. 2000. But who cares. I shouldn't be surprised that I was so totally blown away by it. After all the simplest of stories are the most powerful.
There is so much we have lost in the process of evolving this far. Fundamental values of friendship, loyalty, truth, keeping one's word, even just having values. Principles, standards, boundaries. Knowing when to cross the line. But knowing to accept the consequences of one's choices. Being human. Able to reach out to other humans. Giving, and not expecting in return.
It might seem anachronistic to some viewers. Or perhaps otherworldly, fairytale unreality.
I just find its layers of meaning so profound. If you let it touch you, if we let it reach our deepest places, the message might serve to bring us to a different level of existence.
