Maybe it was because I let myself identify too deeply with the main character. Maybe it was because we were both female and at many times in my life, I have felt helpless and rather at the mercy of beings more powerful than myself. In any case, I was surprised that I had such a strong visceral emotional response to this movie. At the times when the protagonist is brutalized, subjected to the lowest of degradations, I felt myself gripping my knees and protesting in horror. It's strange really...that such an unassuming film, at least in the beginning, has the ability to build up such a crushing momentum.
Unfortunately, the film also troubled me deeply at the end of it. It lingered, it stayed, it insisted on staying there to make me continue to puzzle over the human condition. Maybe people would be confused at my puzzlement. Pick a side already. Humans are good. Humans are evil. Decide what would be your world view, your paradigm. This film certainly makes a strong case for the latter. It brings to mind a biblical parable. I believe it was the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God decided to smite the town for the evil that was within. To purify through destruction. And one man pleaded and bargained with God to not destroy the town if only, if only 20 good people could be found. No No, if only 10. No no, if only 5. As a child, I thought this was rather a ridiculous situation, and wondered why God kept relenting. Perhaps as a child, I had thought this was to show God's mercifulness and grace. But now, I see that God knew all along that there was not even 10 good and righteous souls could be found in that town. How could he not?
The end of Dogville was somewhat similar, a cleansing takes place and it was good. I watched it with satisfaction, with not the least bit of horror or sadness or pity for the dogvillians. But even as it satisfied me as a film watcher, I had to admit, it made me question deeply what it means for anyone to pass judgement.
Damn, it's too late and I'm sleepy, so I feel I'm only semi-coherent about my thoughts about this film. It's such a powerful piece and it gets under your skin (how could it not?) and it stings very deeply. I wish I could let it go, because I feel I've been tainted somewhat in my view of humanity now, and while I always wished to believe in the good of humanity, now I feel there is only suspicion and mistrust and self-doubt.
