Directed by Lars Von Trier.

A planet named Melancholia is on collision course with earth and everyone has his or her own way of coping with what would appear to be an impending doom. Justine (Kirsten Dunst) is filled with dread but is getting married anyway.

A small group of wealthy friends and relatives party at the lavish home belonging to Justine’s sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsborough) and her husband John (Keifer Sunderland). Justine and Michael (Alexander Skarsgard) are late for the wedding and everything seems to be moving in slow motion as two moons rise in the sky.

The hand-held camera work adds a disturbing edge and some of the images are unforgettable, but the first 8 minutes of this film are quite challenging. A pastiche of images assaults the audience as they try to piece together the connections.

Saturated in philosophical and artistic imagery, Melancholia is unlike any previous apocalyptic film and will divide viewers.

Lezly Herbert

***