Movie Marketing 101 with Lars von Trier: The Nymphomaniac vs. Dirt in the Bedsores

Even if you despise the films of Lars von Trier, the fact that he's made a new film is still noteworthy, if only for the fact that it means we'll be seeing more ridiculous quotes in the press from the self-proclaimed best film director in the world. Apologies to James Franco, but von Trier is still the king of turning press releases and interviews into deadpan performance art pieces. In his most recent interview, he teases a potential new project and imparts sage wisdom from his producer about how to keep films commercial.

Apparently, von Trier is currently considering a movie about "a woman's erotic birth, a woman who discovers her eroticism." Actresses beware. However, while a film about a woman's sexual awakening from the director of Antichrist seems like it should immediately finance itself, the director revealed that choosing a title with enough commercial viability is a delicate matter. Take it away, Lars:

"I had two titles that I put to my business partner Peter Aalbæk Jensen. One was The Nymphomaniac, the other was Dirt in Bedsores. I asked him which one he thought was the most commercial. He said that with a title like 'The Nymphomaniac,' the film would already be financed,"

So while you're counting down the days until we get a look at von Trier's take on Armageddon in Melancholia, you can now spend a few moments imagining what a poster for Dirt in the Bedsores might have looked like.

[Screen Daily via / Film]