Matt Dillon on Lars von Trier and The House That Jack Built

Matt Dillon discusses working with Lars von Trier and The House That Jack Built, opening at the Film Society of Lincoln Center on December 14. Dillon will return for a Film Comment Free Talk on December 13 at 7pm. See details: www.filmlinc.org/housejack
Boundary-pushing cinematic visionary Lars von Trier (Antichrist) returns with one of his most daring, masterfully provocative works yet. In five audacious episodes, failed architect and arch-sociopath Jack (Matt Dillon) recounts the elaborately orchestrated murders-each, as he views them, a towering work of art-that define his “career” as a serial killer. Mixing pitch black humor, transcendent surrealism, and renegade musings on everything from history to architecture to cinema, von Trier fashions a radical, blazingly personal inquiry into violence, art, and the twin acts of creation and destruction. With Uma Thurman, Riley Keough, and Bruno Ganz.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center is devoted to supporting the art and elevating the craft of cinema. The only branch of the world-renowned arts complex Lincoln Center to shine a light on the everlasting yet evolving importance of the moving image, this nonprofit organization was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international film. Via year-round programming and discussions; its annual New York Film Festival; and its publications, including Film Comment, the U.S.’s premier magazine about films and film culture, the Film Society endeavors to make the discussion and appreciation of cinema accessible to a broader audience, as well as to ensure that it will remain an essential art form for years to come.
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[@nugsandslugs4177]

This dude without doubt should get an Oscar for his role in this movie - NAILED the character

[@elaineem6113]

he should, but i wonder if he'll even get nominated.

[@christinedeegan9391]

Hes been around a long time . Its Matts year to win an oscar.

[@elaineem6113]

@@pevy_sue bale or malek.

[@zimmhone]

lars nailed him. he is jack. not a killer but he is jack in in every other way. that is the lars joke. The genius.

[@ayyoubkhalaf7307]

Seriously! amazing actor

[@jaleesawoo8994]

Matt: “how’re you guys?” Crowd: *silence* Me: *screaming*

[@winterwhack3690]

Jaleesa Woo Uhhsjdnis that was so awkward

[@jabyalex7868]

same, this the worst crowd

[@urlikepapa]

the silence had me.. in pain.

[@tony_dogs]

They were probably making noise, it's just that his microphone didn't pick it up.

[@678sunflower]

His voice is just yes

[@RRisBackBitcheZz]

ikr !!!!! ughh

[@kathryngrace6750]

I'll turn 30...and Matt Dillon will still look younger than me

[@jameskane8428]

It's good to see that Lars is keeping some relatively positive people like Matt around him.

[@regmunday8354]

Good point James. Depressed people need positive supportive friends.

[@rookietrucker5114]

Stfu Lars has done more for this world than you ever will

[@ShinobiDrip999]

@@rookietrucker5114 jesus lol it's pretty obvious thay Lars is a very troubled/tortured soul. You must be a pretty miserable person yourself.

[@nicolekent1867]

No one could've played Jack any better. No one. Hands down the best actor ever!

[@doritos6893]

Paul Dano could of been a decent choice as well , BUT yeah… Matt Dillons persona is just too raw . Especially the “bad boy” character that backtracked from The Outsiders . Great film. (Aside the kid scene) not a fan of that.

[@Aquahutch702]

Somebody either didn't tell Matt Dillon that aging is an actual thing, or they did and he said "no thank you".

[@gatica72]

There was so much more to this movie than just the violence and gore and misogyny. It’s crazy poetic and symbolic. I was so intrigued by the philosophical questions posed by Vergil. It was a very dense movie and if you didn’t understand the allusions the jargon and rhetoric within the film. All you ended up see was a grotesque film about a serial killer indulging himself in his works.

[@pedromartinmuerto]

Lol this film literaly makes fun of those philosophical questions. It is a grotesque film about a serial killer indulging himself in his works. And this is why it is so great.

[@regmunday8354]

Very brave actor. Actor's actor.

[@absolutelyeveryone2425]

This is honestly a contender for my favorite movie of all time. But it’s tied with Requiem for a Dream I don’t know which way to go so I’ll just sit between the two and be happy forever rewatching them.

[@NoperDurden]

Me too!

[@bianca952000]

You have good (eclectic) taste. Gotta go with Requiem, though. Ellyn Burstyn was so robbed of the Oscar it was a joke. Both are great movies, IMO.

[@XxMrGoldenxX]

Requiem for a dream is far too depressing for my mentally ill mind. It literally made me feel empty.

[@rookietrucker5114]

Id argue Pie

[@alecjones4676]

You're one sick son of a bitch, aren't you 😜

[@prometheuscastles]

Just watched this movie today. And I loved every minute of it. Disturbingly good in every sense. Hats off to Matt Dillon. He nailed this performance and this movie will resonate with you long after you have watched it.

[@elchangoblast5531]

Watch the Directors Cut

[@rafac7384]

Matt Dillon is hot!

[@pietlebrun5943]

For me best movie of 2018

[@bluestate69]

This was a great film. Disturbing, but great. However, among his many masterpieces, I will say that "Melancholia" is the best film ever.

[@romino3585]

Greatest ending ever

[@calenbolo]

In the perspective of Lars maybe

[@dougbull2816]

wtf is with critics.this movie was great.specially compared to the big blockbusters cgi shit fest that keeps going on forever.

[@thefilminformer]

hahaha yeah but ever heard of A24

[@khinlop]

Same reason why a lot of critics hated Clockwork Orange. At least not as many are shouting that the film is pro-violence like they did at Clockwork Orange.

[@olger05]

Critics are mostly failed artists, the moment someone makes a joke about Hitler they are getting so wet that they slip out of their cinema chair and start a blog bitching about it. Critics aren't relevant they don't see a work of art they see a political statement and can't look behind a post-moderen looking glass.

[@TestingChannel1407]

you're goddamn right. At least it was different from that crap.

[@jeppong]

its because this director is hated in the industry. He pushes limit and boundary with his films. Just take a look at his other past films like Anti Christ or Nymphomaniac. They are too grotesque to really give him any credit. It's very NA rated things going on in his film all the time and most of the time he does it out of spite not because there are symbolic imagery or meaning behind it all. This film from him seems liek the best film he has made that actually has a lot of context but trust me, this guys movies will never ever cross critics eyes as a positive view.

[@LAZISH]

One of the greatest actors of this time!!!!!!!

[@kasparssarnovskis9539]

well i don't know about that, but he is really good, agreed.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Matt Dillon. Still one of the greatest actors of my generation. His performance in "Factotum" alone is as good and as funny a performance as any of the so called greats have delivered. His performance in "The House The Jack Built" was perfection.

[@karencalifano6132]

I fucking LOVE Matt Dillon!!!! Great actor, so handsome and gets better with age. He is totally underrated. Have been a fan of his since the 80's.

[@jtrip540]

I LOVE Matt Dillon! Highly underrated.

[@leshorngeorge6358]

AMAZING MOVIE. Worth it!!!

[@christinedeegan9391]

I cant wait to see it. Im in NJ. Hasnt been released yet. I need the full screen.

[@alicew3563]

Well Matt, I like your face too! Well preserved and combined with not having a huge ego and a healthy dose of integrity makes it even more interesting...You should come to Sweden!

[@christinedeegan9391]

Ive got to meet Mr. Dillon one of these days. He fascinates me. Id love to have a 5 min conversation. Thats all i need. Just a look and a smile.

[@SHINESPADA6]

Poor Matt, he had to deal with all those stupid questions

[@kelseystoessel8239]

x7 Leto hOw are the questions stupid?

[@levmyshkin8366]

Kelsey Stoessel Much like Matt Dillon, x7 Leto is the sum of all things, and has no need for language other than to communicate in our moment in time.

[@SHINESPADA6]

+Lev Myshkin Could you please elaborate more ?

[@tracieday1914]

Love Matt Dillion. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

I never thought that Matt was going to play a character like that, because I was used to see him to star in Comedy movies. So, when I saw Von Trier's film, I got completely amazed by his performance. Obviously, for him working with Lars and especially with Bruno Ganz "the guy who plays Hitler", was an amazing experience.

[@omarmuhammad3242]

that was absolutely the best movie of the year.

[@justinhopper5941]

Matt Dillion is the man. He was amazing in drugstore cowboy and rumble fish.👌

[@jamesfox8930]

LETS DO IT FOR JAHNNY MAN

[@GrayWolf5000]

Love his voice

[@miguelacosta4699]

Best Dillon's performance.

[@thedevilinside]

this movie is my #1 of all time. i am an asperger person, and i identified with every single thing about jack in this film, murder excepted. the scene in which he practices making human faces... i do this. art is art. this art is a masterpiece.

[@spacefertilizer]

@@ClassicRock1973 you don't take medicine for aspergers. it's not as simple as a "personality flaw". you could call everything, in a certain extent, a "personality flaw", even psychopathic behaviour if you so will. but then what's the point of definitions at all?

[@snakethefox9586]

@@ClassicRock1973 No, aspergers is a disorder (well, it's been folded into the autism spectrum now, but it still exists); you, however, are just an asshole.

[@arielspierer5292]

Drugstore Cowboy is my favorite Matt Dillion roll in a movie

[@chittybangbang8370]

"Role". You're welcome.

[@karencalifano6132]

Fantastic movie!!!!!!!!!!! Never get tired of seeing it.

[@rezkat6]

​@@karencalifano6132same, one of my all time favourites

[@Marie-cq7eq]

One of the best movies of all time. I can’t even describe it in words. And it wasn’t as bad as critics made it out to be.

[@samrobbins4741]

Matt Dillon you are excellent actor👏👏👏👏

[@feber]

Awesome movie. Loved it.

[@FullInstall]

How is he 54...

[@fransiskop]

55

[@shaneortiz2326]

56

[@hanacarroll5787]

57

[@goatispunk10]

59

[@beatlesgoonies]

60 😮

[@lynnca86]

I remembered him since the movie crash.

[@BL-gh3qt]

the movie actually scared me, that’s how good it was

[@jackfahy2283]

What a great film

[@fieryeurochick3194]

Terrific movie.

[@em6010]

ICONIC.

[@michaelrodriguez-qv9sh]

Beautiful movie

[@truthfilter]

if you feel like screaming i definitely think that you should

[@gangmeow]

What was the interviewers name. He is so intelligent and words questions in the best manner.

[@jtlq]

pity lars won't go to the states. would love to see matt and him being interviewed together.

[@travelswithauntieann2551]

Joe Randolf why won’t he go?

[@jtlq]

@@travelswithauntieann2551 because lars doesn't like traveling long distance...he's never been to the states.

[@jeppong]

@@travelswithauntieann2551 And no one in Hollywood really likes Lars. LOL.

[@swingthatthing]

he's not missing anything, in Hollywood at least

[@TheyTalkOnline]

Sounds like a film to watch.

[@dosesandmimoses]

Sounds like natural born killers

[@michaelrodriguez-qv9sh]

The movie was a beautiful work of art

[@delrey874]

Matt Dillon deserves an Oscar.

[@joemoore4813]

Legend

[@makchung9755]

If i close my eyes. I can hear Thanos

[@emilflarsen2]

02:12 "Husk at sjusk" haha

[@dopecat4012]

"And all the kings men couldn't put Stupid back together again"

[@johnowen7302]

Wasn't gonna watch it because of how long it's on for but reading these comments think I'm gonna have to

[@zackzaharko89]

Matt Dillon killed it in this role, absolutely amazing. Fuck critics

[@fransiskop]

RIP Verge ;(

[@adamnienke3633]

Am I just supposed to pretend that isn't Kim Kitsuragi interviewing Matt?

[@rookietrucker5114]

And he’s a fan of Europa and Breaking The Waves!!!!

[@ilay818]

People sound like they're almost scared to laugh How can they be this silent I'm choking lol

[@rishabhaniket1952]

I always thought this guy should have been ‘the actor’ for his generation.

[@garrett5854]

Am I the only one that still sees him as Jack?

[@whitebread940]

The violence and menace in this movie isn’t anything different from what our kids watch in The Walking Dead. Awesome movie, Matt did nail it.

[@skillzgaming4839]

Its really different imo, it feels much more real

[@whitebread940]

@@skillzgaming4839 the walking dead is just plain silly now a days

[@tony_dogs]

This guy has to be the most uncharismatic interviewer I've ever seen. Props to Dillon for rolling with it

[@danaekramy2692]

God: how beautiful and hot do u want your sons voice to be? Matts mom: yeS

[@rasmusnissen8318]

''Huskasjusk'' That's not a danish word hahahaha

[@elrichgomes4690]

I want to love matt but I keep thinking about how 'jack' practices his expression and talks about faking empathy

[@NealDamiano]

Serial killers tend to have a chameleon personality, able to adapt skill.

[@levmyshkin8366]

Neal Damiano And a big shiny knife.

[@bianca952000]

Matt Dillon: Hi! me: faints Amazingly gifted and looks To Die For ( heh heh)😏

[@davedarkoh]

Matt dillon is such brilliant and sexy actor!!!

[@notrealy180217]

Lars is a future lawsuit waiting to happen lmfao. Literally anyone could accuse him of something vile and we would instantly believe it.

[@FrictionalGamer]

His german voice sounds exactly like his english. I didn't know that he can speak german.

[@zerogravity2264]

That hunting scene is messed up

[@crimenesalldescubierto]

Actors & Actresses were just Brilliant, The Film is Insanely a piece of art. Movie not recommended for less than 8 years old. ^_^

[@dynastyaldc3055]

Everyone complains about the gore in this movie but if you’ve seen his other films like Antichrist, let me tell you, this movie could have been a LOT worse

[@zackharris8373]

It's true, I was expecting it to be a lot more extreme. It was technically extreme, but not extreme extreme. Disturbing enough, but an all round good time.

[@paulburris5451]

So this is who Matt Dillon was...

[@Matthew9818]

Paul Burris . What do you mean ?

[@cureygloier8231]

The folks that appear to possess less "empathy" than Jack are KZbin commentators.

[@AudioPervert1]

This is yet another example. That the 'average star' american actor can play a very different role, yet only when the director is European. Be it Lars VT, Herzog or XYZ ...

[@jmp01a24]

My Drugstore Cowboy!

[@regmunday8354]

I've seen it.I I have no idea what Lars von Trier's intention was, but The House That Jack Built seems (paradoxically) like an extremely moral film, kind of cinematic 'psychopath test' for cinema goers. Anyone who finds it entertaining, and sits through the entire film loving the violence and laughing at the blood and gore, or sympathising with Jack's twisted misogynistic outlook on life, probably has something seriously wrong with them! In other words it allows the viewer to TEST THEIR MORAL COMPASS: we are meant to be horrified, disgusted, revolted by the horrific violence.

[@Itz_Pancho]

The film a pointed towards the viewers and critics that have criticized his pervious films for being too violent, disturbing, sexist, and shocking. The violence is not to be taken seriously. It just goes to show how people are offended easily. It's only a movie.

[@MixedElixir]

I think your justification is gravely inaccurate.

[@Ninersforlife420]

@RMG21C Bot Oh look it's an overly sensitive twat waffle. Dont watch movies you know you won't like just so you can bitch about them later.

[@pietzsche]

It's pretty bizarre to me that people complain about this film, Jack's presented as a pathetic narcissist trying to convince himself that he's more than that, but the explicit text is that he isn't, it even goes so far as to show the tricks he uses on the audience. And the end confirms it, he's basically stupid and self defeating in his arrogance.

[@LendallPitts]

I do not recall von Trier's first very brief announcement that The House that Jack Built would be his next project, but I do recall that it included a reference to Donald Trump -- that it would be a film about the Trump era. Big surprise: It is.

[@Jimmytheman1]

That animal torture scene…my god…

[@piggy8761]

Peta actually was ok with that 😂 They said it draws a connection between mental disorder and animal cruelty 😂

[@adasw20]

Husk at sjusk

[@professorchaos5065]

2:15 huske sjusk

[@sebastianmasis7514]

THANKS

[@butju]

husk at sjuske

[@professorchaos5065]

@@butju han siger ikke (at) :D

[@butju]

@@professorchaos5065 nej, måske fordi den kære Dillon ikke kan dansk. men triers mantra er: "husk at sjuske". det danske talesprog fjerner selvfølgelig nogle endelser, så det lyder mere a la "husk og sjusk'" :)

[@dengamleidiot]

Almost ;) It’s: Husk at sjusk

[@notrealy180217]

The red hats in the film HAVE to do with Trump lmfao. I did not know he said that.

[@cumswag1222]

BLOHNAL BLAUMOF!!!!!

[@brianwilliamsbriancrime]

In Antichrist ~ Willam Dafoe’s character was pretty rich male treatment

[@shoaibnabil1773]

13:22 .... 65?

[@RealShawnBird]

I've heard that Lars wanted to make this movie, because he hates Trump. Now I see Matt Dillon saying Lars says this character is most like himself. Which is true?

[@scipioafricanus5871]

I'd had to say it's about Lars von Trier, but I wouldn't be surprised if Trump manages to make it all about him.

[@RealShawnBird]

@@scipioafricanus5871 Except Lars von Trier literally talked about Trump when talking about this movie.

[@field-zp1hk]

dose this man ever laugh

[@MartinaGilCompaire]

HICKEYS is a band that made a videoclip related to Lars von Trier: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGbbdpmMec2YmsU

[@readmore8740]

He still looks so good! Lost Boys was not my cup of tea but he made the flick so much better...

[@Thrillpeddling]

He's not in Lost Boys. Maybe you're thinking of Jason Patric?

[@deano007]

clueless!!! No lost boys and jason patric speed 2 😂😂😂

[@Thrillpeddling]

@@deano007 No, I think you might be mistaken. I could be wrong though. I don't think he was in those. Hmm, I dunno.

[@deano007]

I was agreeing with you its jason patric from the lost boys and speed 2!!! Matt dillon is from crash and wild things and the house that jack built which im just about to watch 😁

[@deano007]

The other comments have been removed so must have realised their mistake lol

[@cyclopsvideo1]

Matt was killer(pun intended)in the movie.

[@oscarclarke2653]

Matt has starred im great movies like Rumble Fish and The Outsiders, but man...for the last 20 years, his career has been a whole load of "meh".

[@Matthew9818]

Oscar Clarke . This film was fantastic .

[@mickcv4554]

Starts off ridiculously awkward

[@tysonmindham2986]

I think this movie will become a cult film. Every director typically makes one and I feel The House That Jack Built is Lars Von Trier's.

[@heqrusteoffde739]

Horrible, terrible take

[@HunterVex.]

@@heqrusteoffde739 I agree. Say for instance what would be Stanley Kubrick's "cult" film when every single film he has made has been critically praised.

[@heqrusteoffde739]

@@HunterVex. we generally speaking shouldn't decide which movie is "opus magnum" of the director, At the end it should be their decision which movie that they made is the most "compelling" one (if they want to make this type of generalisation to begin with) It's ignorant, giving the fact that we already know (and knew 2 years ago when OP posted this comment) it's not Lars von Trier favorite movie of his

[@heqrusteoffde739]

Speaking about "cult films" House That Jack Built is a mix of already existing movies (American Psycho, Schramm) and general look at von Trier's movies - to make this a "Lars von Trier cult film" doesn't make sense at all

[@heqrusteoffde739]

Also "every director typically makes one (cult film)" This comment is wrong in every way possible

[@dinoatcharterdotnet]

Am I the only one who burst out laughing at the ending when Percy Mayfield's "Hit the Road Jack" immediatly started playing? Such an absurd film. Imagine being the CGI artist who had to animate little kids getting shot? SMH...

[@charlesknowlton7198]

Can't this interviewer talk to Dillon about anything that isn't Lars Von Trier?

[@niculaeemanuel7559]

I love so much Lars Von Trier, I would destroy this world for him!

[@ellwee3709]

the film is disturbing, fuck-ed up, completely pervert masterpiece

[@Killtrobal]

when they talk about LvT female protagonists..... Jack kills mostly women

[@carmenwong2843]

The host's sitting posture is very rude, please go back home and learn!