The first picture from Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac is, predictably, a bummer

Well, if Lars von Trier considered Melancholia a “comedy,” you may as well start bracing yourself for the depressing assault of his upcoming Nymphomaniac.

The first official image from the film features star Charlotte Gainsbourg battered and bruised in an alley, with snow flakes just starting to fall on her unconscious form. At least snow is kinda cheerful, right?

According to the official synopsis, the picture tracks “a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac” from birth to the age of 50.

This scene comes early in the piece, when a charming bachelor (Stellan Skarsgård) finds Gainsbourg’s character, takes her home to nurse her wounds, and is regaled with tales from her life.

As previously reported, von Trier is planning both softcore and hardcore cuts of the picture, the latter featuring real sex acts enacted by its stars.

The cast also includes Shia LaBeouf, Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe, Christian Slater, and Udo Kier.

It does not yet have a local release date. Don’t expect this one to debut at Cannes, where Von Trier is considered persona non grata for his infamous “Nazi” remarks.