Le Royaume

In the mid-90s, The Kingdom was a revelation on the television screen and, together with Lynch's Twin Peaks, it was proof that series can be made completely differently than before - more refined, more provocative, with consistent violation of serial conventions, mocking clichés, parodying characters and environments as well as traditional themes - and above all, mixing genres. Lars von Trier placed a horror supernatural theme into the serious setting of a royal hospital and confronted rationally-thinking doctors with the irrational world of the afterlife. At the same time, Trier proved himself as an eternal experimenter when he extensively tested the possibilities of handheld cameras or jump cuts. Personally, more than this search for a new film language (which I found rather annoying in the form of wild cutaways and restless handheld camera), I appreciated Trier's traditional ability to create gloomy images and, in combination with movement and music, to create a claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere. Even during the opening credits, when the camera slowly descends underground and from beneath cracking planks, accompanied by choral singing, and trickles of blood emerge, something monstrous can be sensed, I consider it a treat even after all these years. Unfortunately, Lars did not play with his characters nearly as long as Lynch, and I consider the subsequent continuation a loss in every aspect. With the passage of time, the first season of The Kingdom appears as a fragment of something that could have been grand and could have belonged among the deserved cult series. Nevertheless, even in this state, it remains interesting in its execution, but ultimately leads nowhere and is unfinished. I would still recommend Twin Peaks to those interested in this style of filmmaking. Overall impression: 80%. (24/09/2014)

The Danes obviously have interesting creators and I also have the feeling that "Twin Peaks" paved the way for interesting series. "Kingdom" is one of the weirder ones, but thanks to its atmosphere and the crazy characters, it just has something to it. You won't forget some scenes, including the opening theme song or the final birth. (15/03/2016)

This guy's SUCH A FREAK!!! The Kingdom is a very strange project that synthesizes a parody of medical dramas, horror and utterly beastly psychological terror in its swampy heart, which clearly makes Mr. Trier feel good. Traditional attributes like civilian acting, a documentary impression, the trembling camera and the almost Lynchian absurd scenes create a suffocating and electrifying atmosphere of a place that, while on the surface, is a proud memento of civilization, no mysticism escapes from its sight, but which is so saturated with mystery and irrational things (whether it is a genius loci or character relationships) that it simply cannot give the viewer anything other than a depressing impression. A cabinet of curiosities and bizarreness. And by the way, one of the greatest shows of all time. (05/03/2004)