Abstract

This article seeks to contrast the libertarian ambitions of two great contemporary filmmakers -Andrei Tarkovsky and Lars von Trier- through a sample of their work, and taking into account the ethical resonances of their productions. Specifically, Tarkovsky’s film Offret/Sacrifice (1986) will be analised and, within it, the emphasis will be placed on the main character: Alexander; the same will be done with von Trier, but with the film The house that Jack built (2018) and the character called Jack. Beyond a mere cinematographic analysis, the article explores the richness or poverty of the inner world of the characters in both films and, albeit implicitly, shows their importance as models for clinical or public discussion on issues such as ethics or violence towards other people, our conceptual reading will mainly draw on the work of the philosopher Sören Kierkegaard and some counterpoints with the political theorist Hannah Arendt.

Keywords: freedom | Lars von Trier | Andrei Tarkovsky | Kierkegaard | ethics