Dancer in the Dark
A heart-wrenching musical tragedy that juxtaposes the grim reality of a factory worker's fading sight with her vibrant, escapist musical daydreams.
Dancer in the Dark
Dancer in the Dark

"In a world of shadows, she found the light of life."

01 September 2000 Denmark 140 min ⭐ 7.9 (1,906)
Director: Lars von Trier
Cast: Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare, Joel Grey
Drama Crime
Sacrifice and Maternal Love The Illusory American Dream Escapism and the Power of Imagination Injustice and the Death Penalty
Budget: $12,500,000
Box Office: $40,061,153

Dancer in the Dark - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

In a musical, nothing dreadful ever happens.

— Selma Ježková

Context:

Selma says this in a conversation, explaining her love for musicals. It reveals her coping mechanism and her deep-seated belief in the power of art to transcend suffering.

Meaning:

This quote encapsulates Selma's naive and hopeful worldview, which is shaped by her love for musicals. It is a tragically ironic statement, as her life is filled with dreadful events. The quote highlights the stark contrast between the idealized world of her imagination and her grim reality.

I've seen it all, I have seen the trees, I have seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze... What is there to see?

— Selma Ježková

Context:

Selma sings this duet with Jeff as they walk along a railway bridge. The rhythmic clatter of the train provides the beat for the song, which is one of the film's most iconic musical numbers.

Meaning:

These lyrics from the song "I've Seen It All" express Selma's resignation to her impending blindness. She tries to convince herself and Jeff that she has already experienced enough of the world's beauty and is at peace with losing her sight. However, the song also carries a deep sadness and a sense of loss.

They say it's the last song. They don't know that. If they did, they wouldn't write it.

— Selma Ježková

Context:

Selma says this in prison as she discusses her love for musicals with a guard. She explains that she always leaves the cinema before the final song so that the story can go on forever in her mind.

Meaning:

This poignant line reflects Selma's desire to live in a world of endless stories and songs, where there are no final endings. It is a heartbreaking expression of her wish to escape the finality of her own fate.