5 Reasons Why 'Dancer In The Dark' is Postmodern

Dancer In The Dark- Directed by Lars von Trier in 2000

Reasons why Dancer In The Dark is postmodern:

1.  The use of a handheld camera makes the film seem more realistic as its as if someone was just recording Selma's real life. Also the use of the handheld camera contradicts the use of cinematic shots normally used in a musical.

2.  The film plays with fantasy vs reality as Selma's musical daydreams contrast her bleak reality. The audience is left wishing that her daydreams could have been her reality instead of what really happened to her.

3.  The film challenges the viewers expectations of a musical, as musicals are normally quite happy, with there at least being a happy ending. So when you are watching this musical, you have certain expectations of what will happen, but the film does not end happily which challenges the audiences preconceived ideas about what should happen.

4.  The film is self-reflective as the film knows that the happy musical songs don't fit into this sad film about a women's sad reality, but chooses to include them anyway to show a greater contrast between the daydreams and the reality.

5.  There is a sense of mise-en-abyme in the film as the factory noises merge into the music for Selma's musical fantasies, so one story (her reality) is being inserted into her other story (her fantasy daydreams).