Ari Aster Reveals Significance of the Bear in MIDSOMMAR + What We Can Expect in the Director’s Cut

There are minor spoilers for Midsommar below. Proceed with caution if you have not seen the film for yourself.

We’ve featured a number of “Ending Explained” videos for Midsommar in the two weeks since the film’s release. They discuss many poignant and arresting details many of us might have missed. Of course, when examining symbolism and subtext of Midsommar, the film’s writer/director Ari Aster has the final word.

Related Article: Ari Aster Working on NC-17 Extended Cut of MIDSOMMAR with 30 Minutes of Additional Footage

The filmmaker recently sat down with Ryan Scott at MovieWeb for an extensive interview. Among the most interesting reveals is the significance of the bear in Midsommar.

“The bear is a very important symbol in Norse mythology and in Scandinavian folklore. It was loaded in all of the right ways. To sort of tie it to Christian and the way that he dies. It occurred to me at some point in doing research for the film that this is the right way to send Christian off.”

Related Article: Nothing But Spoilers! Insider Video Breaks Down That Shocking Ending of MIDSOMMAR

As for what we can expect in the extended director’s cut Aster is currently assembling:

“[There will be a] more nuanced picture of Harga, more rituals and more nuance for the relationship between Dani and Christian, and more by way of the thesis competition between Josh and Christian.”

The interview is absolutely worth being read in its entirety, HERE.

If you’ve yet to see Midsommar for yourself, check out the synopsis and trailer below.

Synopsis:
A couple travel to Sweden to visit their friend’s rural hometown for its fabled midsummer festival, but what begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.

Midsommar stars Florence Pugh, Will Poulter, and Jack Reynor.

Related Article: HEREDITARY Director Says Follow-Up MIDSOMMAR is “WIZARD OF OZ for Perverts”

Have you seen Midsommar yet? What do you think of these excerpts from MovieWeb’s interview? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.

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