In a blue-collar American town, a group of teens bands together to form the Dandies, a gang of gunslingers led by Dick Dandelion. Following a code of strict pacifism at odds with the fact that they all carry guns, the group eventually lets in Sebastian, the grandson of Dick's childhood nanny, Clarabelle, who fears the other gangs in the area. Dick and company try to protect Clarabelle, but events transpire that push the gang past posturing.
Direction
Vinterberg's Dogme roots give it uncomfortable documentary intimacy.
Writing
Von Trier's script weaponizes irony until it collapses.
Production
The Dandies' homemade costumes and rituals feel unsettlingly real.
Director
Thomas Vinterberg
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Written by Lars von Trier but directed by Vinterberg, making this a rare Dogme 95 collaboration where von Trier didn't touch the camera.
The film savages American gun culture from a distinctly European perspective, which explains why US audiences largely rejected it while some critics called it misunderstood genius.
DK
