Von Trier's face reddened and he replied, "I don't find it exciting to see torture scenes with men. But it's just [my] personal [view]. I think it's a superficial way of looking at the film. I don't think the film is telling the same story. Many filmmakers make the same stories. It's a kind of style, I would say. If you don't like the film, take it or leave it. But there are people who like the film."
The critics responded by targeting the almost three-hour long film for its implied criticism of the American way of life.
"It's not a uniquely American story. I've never been to the country but we have a lot of knowledge, information and images about
American life," Von Trier said.
"The story of Dogville, is based on a Bertolt Brecht song Pirate Jenny,and provides an allegory or warning to America for its treatment of others, including making war on other countries.
"Actually I feel like being an American. I may have received wrong or incomplete information about America. But I'm just a mirror. I don't see the country now, how it should be. Maybe we should start a campaign, a `free America movement, just like the `free Iraq movement.'"
Sitting beside the director, Nicole Kidman tried to light a cigarette, perhaps to ease the tension. But the demanding director turned round to her in the middle of his talk and said, "Nicole, please you promised me," as if to say she should not smoke. Kidman responded with an awkward smile.
When Kidman was asked by the press if she would continue working with Von Trier, the director then grabbed the microphone and said, "Could you tell the public right now, saying yes, you'll be playing the next two parts of the trilogy?"
Kidman gave her assent and the press conference ended on this note of embarrassed commitment.
"Yes, it's a challenge for me and I will be doing it [the second two parts of the trilogy]."
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