Caos reina: uma análise da trilogia da depressão de Lars Von Trier através da narrativa e imagem

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyze Lars von Trier’s Depression Trilogy—comprising the films Antichrist (2008), Melancholia (2011), and Nymphomaniac (2013) — through the lens of the relationship between image and narrative. The research seeks to demonstrate how the director’s visual construction evolves in parallel with the narrative development, with an emphasis on the creation of female characters. The study also examines von Trier’s use of archetypes in shaping his protagonists, highlighting how he gives each character distinctive contours through both narrative and visual language. The first chapter offers a retrospective overview of von Trier’s career, from his earlier trilogies to the Depression Trilogy, in order to understand the development of his narrative and visual style, as well as his portrayal of women. The second chapter focuses on defining the concept of archetype and exploring how von Trier employs archetypal structures in crafting his protagonists and storylines throughout the trilogy. The third chapter delves into concepts related to cinematic image, including film analysis, mise-en-scène, and Feminist Film Theory. Finally, the fourth chapter is dedicated to image analysis, examining how the key visual compositions in each film relate to the narrative and character development. This research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of Lars von Trier’s cinema by highlighting how he constructs complex visual narratives that engage with his themes and protagonists while simultaneously challenging aesthetic and narrative conventions.