Difficult to interpret, confusing to watch, but ultimately compelling.
A prestigious Stockholm museum's chief art curator finds himself in times of both professional and personal crisis as he attempts to set up a controversial new exhibit.
There are times watching this film (crafted by writer/director Ruben Östlund) where you genuinely think to yourself what am I watching. It somehow is a comment on modern art, power in relationships, separation between art and artist and an evident homeless crisis in Europe. How it ties those things together is even more ludicrous - it has a sort of comedic robbery theme. There are often jokes and then there are some scenes that are just difficult to watch. It is almost as if this film became the thing it was designed to question (modern art). Claes Bang is exceptional in the lead role and while Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West get the next two credits they have maybe 20 minutes of combined screen-time (in a 150 minute film).
Overall strange, but compelling. Definitely one to see if you’d like to be mentally challenged.
4 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of KMPR
Comments