Replicating memes

Although the real meaning behind of the story of the movie Dogville was probably different, I mostly enjoyed the movie for its lesson in why it’s necessary to be assertive.

Unless you saw the movie, this transcript is obviously missing quite some context. If so, I hereby once more recommend checking out the movie Dogville.

Mafia dad: It is you that is arrogant! You do not pass judgment because you sympathize with them.

Mafia dad: A deprived childhood and a homicide really isn’t necessarily a homicide, right? The only thing you can blame is circumstances.

Mafia dad: Rapists and murderers may be the victims according to you, but I call them dogs. And if they’re lapping up their own vomit the only way to stop them is with the lash

Grace: But dogs only obey their own nature. So why shouldn’t we forgive them?

Mafia dad: Dogs can be taught many useful things but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature

Grace: So, I’m arrogant? I’m arrogant because I forgive people?

Mafia dad: My God, can’t you see how condescending you are when you say that?

Mafia dad: I mean you have this preconceived notion that nobody can’t possibly attain the same high ethical standards as you, so you exonerate them. I can not think of anything more arrogant than that!

Mafia dad: You, my child, my dear child you forgive others with excuses that you would never in the world permit for yourself

Grace: Why shouldn’t I be merciful? Why?

Mafia dad: No, no, no you should, you should be merciful when there is time to be merciful. But you must maintain your own standard. You owe them that. The penalty you deserve for your transgressions they deserve for their transgressions.

Grace: They are human beings

Mafia dad: No, no, no. Does every human being need to be accountable for their actions? Of course they do but you don’t even give them that chance. And that is extremely arrogant. I love you, I love you to death. But you are the most arrogant person I have ever met. And you call me arrogant!

ps. The acting performance of Nicole Kidman was also awesome of course.

I know that I’ve said this before. But the fact that this award comes from the people makes it all the more special. And thanks for keeping me employed, yeah? You’re the boss.

And thank you for being passionate and extremely good at what you do Johnny Depp. The world needs more people who are as passionate and as good in what they do as you.

Passionate people like you inspire other people to also want to be as good in whatever they do.

You passionate movie actors are of course one of the most visible ones in the community of passionate people. I thank you for being one of them who’s extremely good at it.

And of course as a result of also (probably not only, I know) your input, I enjoyed watching most of the movies where you played a role as an actor. But my real gratitude goes to you wanting to be good. Which is what most likely made you the talented actor you are: your own passion.

Today I for the first time saw the movie Dogville. It must be one of the best stories that I have ever seen in a movie or read in a book.

The comments and criticism that I have found on the web make me think of something a Belgian art guy once said on the radio during an interview. I forgot who and I forgot the exact words. I’m probably not good at repeating what he said (and my translation makes it even worse). But it came down to this: art can be art if it achieves in getting different people to have a strong pro and a strong contra opinion about it. In other words, if all people (100%) agree the thing is beautiful, it’s probably just beautiful. Same for “ugly”. However, if 50% of the people think the thing absolutely is art and the other 50% think the thing absolutely is not art, it’s art. Or maybe .. it’s not art, but it at least created discussion. Which by itself is an achievement.

Therefore it is my opinion that this movie is art. Thanks for sharing it with the world, Lars von Trier.

But then again, I’m not at all somebody who knows something about art. I’m just somebody who likes the story of the film a lot :-). I’ll quote from one of the comments that I found: “The movie gives you a lot to think about.”