EYE ON MEDIA: Conflicts between Civilization and Chaos in THE SQUARE — Essay by Martha P. Nochimson

Swedish writer/director Ruben Östlund explores the nature of art, the relationship between art and life, but most of all whether human nature is wired to fulfill the ideals of openness and inclusiveness that The Square embodies, a question that is particularly sensitive, painful, and timely as we battle the duly elected (?) fascist now in the White House. Östlund’s perspective, his provocative, off-beat, dry, very dark and enigmatically humorous approach to his story represents a rare expression of civilization in chaos. The Square played at New York Film Festival in 2017 and won the Palme D’Or at Cannes. Its most bizarre, surrealistic scenes are based on real events. Continue reading on EYE ON MEDIA.