Erik Nietzsche: behind this name stands no less a person than Lars von Trier. Arguably the most famous film director from Denmark wrote the autobiographical script to this highly amusing satire. It gives an account of “Erik Nietzsche’s“ traumatic years at the National Film School in Copenhagen in the late 70s, when he entered the decadent world of cinema, still young and inexperienced, and struggling with depression and frequent urges to go to the toilet. Little helpful tutors, crazy fellow students and self-confident women cause the insecure young filmmaker much trouble. There are unwritten laws at the film school, which Erik patiently observes and ultimately uses to his own ends. An amused cast visibly enjoys making fun of Denmark’s film industry. Simultaneously the film sharp-wittedly reveals the functioning of the latter between artistic will, economic interests and personal vanity. Lars von Trier displays self-irony by speaking the voiceover himself.