Just admit that you can't see! (Dancer in the Dark)

First, I just want to say, Dancer in The Dark was surprisingly good. I had only heard bad things about Bjork's voice, but I really enjoyed it. That's all.

What was the effect of the "musical ballads" in Dancer in the Dark?

Bjork's character,Selma, was already a little spacey, but when the musical numbers were added in, she completely secluded herself in these daydreams. The effect was to show that if she just had music, a bad situation isn't all that bad. She's going blind? Sing about it to the sounds of a train or a factory. She's going to be put to death? Sing Christmas carols in your jail cell.

What was significant about the last scene in Dancer in the Dark and how was this musical number different?

For once, Selma was in a situation that she couldn't escape from. She sang outloud to those who were about to witness her death. I found this very interesting, because it seemed as though before when she sang nobody knew she was in that fantasy land. This situation was death and so it made it much more real that she was singing (although I don't know too many people who would sing right before they are hung).

What was the significance of making Selma a well liked character and how does Marx fit in?

Everyone was willing to help Selma out, yet she wanted to do it all on her own. Bill betrays her trust and STILL she does not betray his, Jeff always offers her a ride, but she refuses, she is given a chance to escape the death penalty looming but also refuses because it will prevent her son from getting the surgery. I think Selma's unselfish nature opens the audience up to her. She is a loner, but is loved by everyone around her. Sometimes this way of living tends to get you screwed over- in the situation with Bill especially. Marx talks of alienation and how we estrange ourselves from each other and I think Selma does this because she doesn't want her friends and family to know her real troubles.

What was the effect on the audience by filming with a hand held camera?

By using less tricks and gimics to make this film, Lars von Treir makes the audience feel like they are there. Watching Selma walk home on the train tracks put us in her shoes. Being in the room with Bill and Selma as Bill takes her money makes us want to yell, "SELMA! HE'S HERE! IN THE ROOM WITH US!" We are helpless just like Selma and I believe that to be the point of Dancer in the Dark