Dunedin people will have a chance to make their own judgement on the controversial Danish-directed film, Antichrist, next month when it screens at the Regent as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival.
The film, which includes scenes of graphically portrayed sexual mutilation, was the most talked-about at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, the film tells the story of a couple who retreat to an isolated cabin in the woods to deal with the grief of losing their only child.
Dafoe's character, who is a therapist, tries to help his wife deal with her grief and encourages her to come off heavy sedatives after the death, but she loses control of her senses.
The abuse she submits herself and her husband to drew shocked gasps from the Cannes audience.
Film festival programmer Sandra Reid was present at the world premiere in Cannes and said Antichrist was further proof of how Danish director Lars von Trier relished provoking audiences.
"It is not for the faint of heart.
"Von Trier is a contemporary master - his work has consistently featured in our programmes and this is an opportunity for New Zealand audiences to make up their own minds about his most extreme and controversial work to date."
Von Trier has said the film provided therapy after a two-year spell of depression and describes it as his most important film.
The film will screen at the Regent Theatre in Dunedin on July 28.
It is yet to be censored, but festival organisers hoped an uncut version would be screened, a spokeswoman said.
The film festival programme for Dunedin is being printed this week and will be ready for distribution on July 1.
