Long before I ever spoke with the world-renowned film director Lars von Trier, I felt as though he had communicated directly with me through his films and by way of the influential Dogme95 manifesto that he instigated, which taught me some of the most important lessons in filmmaking.
While living in London, England last year, I seized the opportunity of cheap travel and proximity to my long-time mentor-from-afar, who himself almost never travels. It all began on a dark and foggy Friday morning when I donned my “Eva filmmaker hat” and set out for Copenhagen, Denmark to meet Lars Von Trier. It seemed like a simple plan, however, of course, it was not.
Firstly, I was not invited. In fact, when I called ahead, Lars’ assistant told me, very friendly but firmly, NOT to come and that unfortunately Lars was far too busy to take an interview, that he had just finished all interviews for Dogville, and that it was not even sure when if Lars would be away writing at his cottage.