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Is it possible the shocking, harrowing, even repulsive moments in Von Trier's oeuvre have a moral, even prophetic telos? Ver Straten-McSparran challenges skeptics to reckon with similarly appalling, even offensive sign-acts of the Biblical tradition. Then, as now, extreme times may require extreme prophetic voices. Von Trier's methods will always stir controversy and debate, but Ver Straten-McSparran convincingly argues his central message abides throughout: evil itself is being trivialized, ignored, and, therefore, empowered. At his best, Von Trier drives us to honestly face evil in the world and in ourselves, and to urgently look for grace, even in the most unlikely places. Joseph G. Kickasola, Professor of Film and Digital Media, Baylor University One cannot understand Lars von Trier as a filmmaker without also understanding him as a prophetic theologian. So argues Ver Straten-McSparran, finding insight from the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel. Here is must reading for anyone interested in unpacking the extreme cinema of this controversial Dane. Robert K. Johnston, Senior Professor of Theology and Culture and Co-Director of the Reel Spirituality Institute, Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA

Is it possible the shocking, harrowing, even repulsive moments in Von Trier's oeuvre have a moral, even prophetic telos? Ver Straten-McSparran challenges skeptics to reckon with similarly appalling, even offensive sign-acts of the Biblical traditio. Then, as now, extreme times may require extreme prophetic voices. Von Trier's methods will always stir controversy and debate, but Ver Straten-McSparran convincingly argues his central message abides throughout: evil itself is being trivialized, ignored, and, therefore, empowered. At his best, Von Trier drives us to honestly face evil in the world and in ourselves, and to urgently look for grace, even in the most unlikely places. - Joseph G. Kickasola, Professor of Film and Digital Media, Baylor University One cannot understand Lars von Trier as a filmmaker without also understanding him as a prophetic theologian. So argues Ver Straten-McSparran, finding insight from the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel. Here is must reading for anyone interested in unpacking the extreme cinema of this controversial Dane. - Robert K. Johnston, Senior Professor of Theology and Culture and Co-Director of the Reel Spirituality Institute, Fuller Seminary Whatever you think of Lars von Trier's films-and I've both loved and loathed certain of them-they are always fodder for discussion and serious consideration, even spiritual contemplation. In this fascinating scholarly work, Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparran makes a compelling case for von Trier as a prophetic filmmaker, in the biblical sense of the word. Daring, surprising, insightful, and passionate, this book is a great example of how theology and cinema can be natural conversation partners. - Brett McCracken, film critic and senior editor, The Gospel Coalition

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Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparran has a PhD in theological aesthetics from King's College London and is former director of the L.A. Film Studies Center. She has an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister. Rebecca has executive produced and worked on award-winning films, and currently provides consultation services for higher education film programs, productions, and independent filmmakers.

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