On the run from mobsters, Grace (Nicole Kidman) seeks refuge in titular Rocky Mountain town, though it soon transpires that the benevolence of the townsfolk comes at a price. Shot exclusively on a barren soundstage, bereft of sets, props, or any of the accoutrements of movie make-believe, Dogville makes for a lean yet invigorating experience. The spartan aesthetic and Brechtian distancing devices, aided by an ensemble featuring Paul Bettany, Lauren Bacall, and James Caan, underscored by John Hurt’s wry narration, heighten the mounting horror of Grace’s ordeal.

Notes by David O’Mahony

Screening as part of Lars von Trier: Enduring Provocations. Multi-film pass available.