Here are photos of Kirsten Dunst at last night’s London premiere of Melancholia, that Lars Von Trier film that debuted in Cannes, for which Kiki won Best Actress. The dress is by “Honor” a label/designer I’ve never heard of, and it’s from their Spring 2012 collection. When I first glanced through the photos, I was all, “Meh, boring party dress on a girl who does too many too-cute party dresses.” But as I really looked at the dress, it’s actually really, really pretty. The details are lovely, the fabric is pretty, and it looks really nice on Kiki. Unfortunately, none of Kiki’s hot costars made it to the premiere – no Alex Skarsgard, no Kiefer Sutherland. Boo.

As for the public’s reaction to this film… God knows. While promoting it in Cannes, Lars Von Trier got kicked out of the festival for saying nice things about Nazis. So… Kirsten is the one being sent out, front and center, to promote the film. Here’s a recent interview with her:

What was it like working with Lars von Trier, that must have been a huge draw for you in taking on this role?
Kirsten Dunst: Oh yeah. I was drawn to the project because, to me, Lars von Trier is the only film maker who specifically makes films for women, who can be ugly and messy, and not this perfect idea of what women should be in film. I was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Lars, he doesn’t make that many movies. It was an opportunity that I went in with an open vulnerability and trust because of the way that Lars presents himself to you. Now I feel like I have a good friend as well.

If this film is not about the end of the world, it is certainly about the culture of fear and depression in people, how you feel about that?
Kirsten Dunst: The depression and the kind of unravelling of my character Justine at the beginning of her wedding, she feels sort of alienated, that sort of throws her into a depression. But I also think that what’s interesting about her is that as the world is coming to an end, the most horrible tragedy that could ever happen, she gets stronger and stronger and she is the one that brings them together. In terms of Lars and working with women, I commend him, there are not many female roles out there like this, where you can be crazy and vulnerable and strange, you can be whatever you want. That’s a freedom that’s very scary, but also gives you a braveness that I took with me onto other projects after this.

What was the work process like on this film? What sort of state of mind did you have to put yourself in to play Justine?
Kirsten Dunst: I think the intimacy Lars creates on set automatically makes you emotionally available, and then we do as much as we have to do. We do as many takes or different ways until he’s happy, I hope (laughs). The process is very freeing, kind of anything goes, then you rein it in or the other way around. We often did takes that lasted five minutes, when do you get to do that!? With that there’s a freedom and a breaking down of walls. It’s not, ’This is your close-up, this is your wide-shot,’ all those things are thrown away and so you are left with a very natural way of just being.

[From Flicks & Bits]

I understand that this is the kind of meaty character study that most actresses want to sink their teeth into, but I feel like there’s a disconnect between “the kind of part an actress would love to play” and “the kind of part the audience feels comfortable seeing as the lead of the film.” I’m just saying, a film that centers on one woman’s unraveling, told by a self-indulgent director… it’s not something I want to watch.

Photos courtesy of WENN.