Quentin Tarantino Reveals the Movie He Thinks Should Have Won a Pulitzer Prize

Quentin Tarantino has never been shy about his admiration for bold filmmaking, and Lars von Trier’s 2003 experimental drama Dogville remains one of the highest entries on his list of modern classics.

During a retrospective look at his favorite films released between 1992 and 2009, Tarantino highlighted the Nicole Kidman-led project as a masterpiece of storytelling. He was particularly struck by the movie’s unique staging on a bare soundstage with chalk-outlined streets, which he felt elevated the narrative to a higher intellectual plane.

According to Tarantino, the screenplay for the film is one of the most impressive works ever put to paper in the industry. Maybe one of the greatest scripts ever written for film, he remarked, suggesting that the writing was so powerful it transcended the medium of cinema.

He even went as far as to say that von Trier would have been recognized with one of literature’s highest honors if the story had debuted in a different format. Had he done it on the stage, he would have won a Pulitzer Prize, the Pulp Fiction director claimed.

Dogville serves as a dark and visceral look at the hidden cruelty within a seemingly polite American community during the Great Depression. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Grace, a woman seeking safety who gradually becomes a victim of the town’s escalating demands and abuse. While some viewers found the movie’s critique of American culture to be harsh, von Trier has clarified that his intentions were more about exploring human nature and specific political trends rather than attacking the country as a whole.

The director explained that he does not see himself as being against the United States in a broad sense. Of course, I am not anti-American in that sense. How could you be ‘anti’ a country? von Trier noted in an interview with Filmmaker Magazine. He pointed out that while he disagreed with certain geopolitical moves, like the war in the Middle East, he felt his political views were likely shared by a significant portion of the American public. He even joked that there were probably more people he agreed with in America than in his native Denmark simply because of the difference in population size.

Nicole Kidman, who delivered what many consider a career-defining performance in Dogville, has remained incredibly busy as we move into 2026. She is currently preparing for the highly anticipated theatrical release of Practical Magic 2 in September 2026, where she will reunite with Sandra Bullock. She is also set to star in the mystery thriller Scarpetta alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and is expected to return for the long-awaited third season of Big Little Lies on HBO.

Do you think that the minimalist, stage-like setting of “Dogville” actually makes the story more impactful than a traditional movie set, or does it take you out of the experience? Share your thoughts in the comments.