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Manderlay
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Manderlay (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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Manderlay (2005) -- A story of slavery, set in the 1930s American South.

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   7,608 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Lars von Trier
Writer:
Lars von Trier (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Manderlay on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 June 2005 (Denmark) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
A case of mistaken identity more
Plot:
A story of slavery, set in the 1930s American South. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 win & 15 nominations more
User Comments:
Imperialism Interpretation more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Bryce Dallas Howard ... Grace Margaret Mulligan

Isaach De Bankolé ... Timothy

Danny Glover ... Wilhelm

Willem Dafoe ... Grace's Father
Michaël Abiteboul ... Thomas

Lauren Bacall ... Mam
Jean-Marc Barr ... Mr. Robinsson
Geoffrey Bateman ... Bertie

Virgile Bramly ... Edward
Ruben Brinkmann ... Bingo (as Ruben Brinkman)
Doña Croll ... Venus (as Dona Croll)

Jeremy Davies ... Niels

Llewella Gideon ... Victoria
Mona Hammond ... Old Wilma
Ginny Holder ... Elisabeth
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Manderlay (France) (Germany)
The Film 'Manderlay' as Told in Eight Straight Chapters (USA) (long title)
more
Runtime:
139 min
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Denmark more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The second film in Lars von Trier's third trilogy series entitled "USA - Land of Opportunities". The two other parts are Dogville (2003) and Wasington (2009). more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator: It was in the year of 1933, when Grace and her father were heading southward with their army of gangsters.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The Road to Manderlay (2005) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Young Americans more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
33 out of 39 people found the following comment useful:-
Imperialism Interpretation, 22 May 2006
9/10
Author: brandonlevi from Portland, OR

I've only seen the film once, but I felt that the most consistent interpretation was strictly about arrogant imperialism. I found myself first seeing through a very direct lens of a slave narrative/American liberal white guilt. This is an easy interpretation that lives on the surface.

The film then transformed into a statement about the presumption that "we" can teach others how to govern when "they" may have a system that works better in their context. The system in Manderlay was not overseer/slave, the system was socialism/communism and each "slave," as Grace saw them, had his or her own specialized role. The inhabitants of Manderlay were free within their system, but Grace was so completely blinded by what her culture had taught her about "freedom" and "democracy" and the inferiority of all other ways of life. The democracy she implemented was a complete farce. Their society did not function when the arrogant outsider who thought she knew what was best for them began implementing her system with force. The most direct comparison is "operation iraqi freedom" and other US nation building exercises or sponsored coups.

I found many other characters to be representations of a global system of oppression. The card shark was an international lending institution like the World Bank or the IMF and the "prince" was a corrupt leader who sold out his people for a cut of the profits of the international business elites (like Marcos, Suharto, or seemingly countless others).

I was very pleased with Manderlay and thoroughly frustrated by simplistic the reviews I read of it. I feel that this film falls apart with a straightforward viewing. As a white guilt slave narrative the film is mediocre. As commentary on imperialism and an absolutely corrupt global system, the film is a wonderful composition. I can't wait for Wasington.

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Manderlay (2005)
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I wanted to vomit akwehl
Rascism in Manderlay missprincipessa
Kudos to John C. Reilly . . . catjoescreed
Do i have to see Dogville before Manderlay? yister159
is this film 'watchable?' ccr152
Missed last 5 minutes or so jals
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