UPDATE: 9:30 AM: Now director Lars von Trier has issued an apology: “If I have hurt someone this morning by the words I said at the press conference, I sincerely apologize. I am not anti-semitic or racially prejudiced in any way, nor am I a Nazi.”
PREVIOUS, 9:05 AM: The Cannes Film Festival has just issued a press release saying it was disturbed by von Trier’s comments and asked for an explanation from the Danish director, who it said has apologized.
The Festival de Cannes was disturbed about the statements made by Lars von Trier in his press conference this morning in Cannes. Therefore the Festival asked him to provide an explanation for his comments.
The director states that he let himself be egged on by a provocation. He presents his apology.
The direction of the Festival acknowledges this and is passing on Lars von Trier’s apology. The Festival is adamant that it would never allow the event to become the forum for such pronouncements on such subjects.
PREVIOUS, 6:31 AM: As usual, you can leave it to Danish director Lars von Trier to make waves. But now enough may be enough. Participating in the Cannes Film Festival for the 11th time,
the controversial helmer set more than a few mouths agape at a press conference following the 8:30 AM press screening of his latest opus, Melancholia. Because, asked at one point about his German roots — though he was actually born in Copenhagen in 1956 — he jumped right in with the kind of “Is he putting us on or what?” abandon he is known for:
“For a long time I was a Jew and I was happy to be a Jew, then I met Susanne Bier [fellow Danish director and this year’s Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film] and I wasn’t so happy. But then I found out I was actually a Nazi. My family was German. That also gave me pleasure. What can I say? I understand Hitler. I sympathize with him a bit.”
Then, in the spirit of Mel Gibson, who wisely skipped The Beaver press conference yesterday, thereby dodging bullets of this type that come up from a room full of international press, von Trier kept on going:
“I don’t mean I’m in favor of World War II and I’m not against Jews, not even Susanne Bier. In fact I’m very much in favor of them. All Jews. Well, Israel is a pain in the ass [pause] … How can I get out of this sentence? OK, I’m a Nazi.”
At this point, his film’s stars Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg and the rest of the cast looked like they wanted to be anywhere but sitting next to von Trier.
Should we take him seriously? He has a well-knwon reputation at these things for being something of a put-on artist, a guy who avoids serious answers by being flip and outrageous. He clearly revels in the press he gets out of it, the kind he’s getting right now of course. But what can you say about a guy who also suggested his next picture might be XXX-rated? “My next film, and Kirsten demanded it, will be porn. That’s how women are. Really hard core. That’s what I’m writing now,” he said.
Lars was in rare form today. Why does he spew this stuff in Cannes? Because he can.
As for the film itself, it received very mild applause but I heard no boos. Unlike last time he was here in 2009 with the dreadful, over-the-top Antichrist, which also starred Gainsbourg, who managed to win Best Actress probably just for having to put up with von Trier’s antics. Obviously she came back for more this time. Melancholia is an end-of-the-world rumination divided into two parts, centered on sisters played by Gainsbourg and Dunst, who does full frontal nudity for the first time in her career. It’s set at a remote villa surrounded by an 18-hole golf course. A wedding is taking place against the threat of world annihilation when the planet Melancholia is on a collision course with Earth. As per many von Trier films, it is an uneven blend of melodrama, tedious dialogue, scenes that run way too long, and occasional spurts of stunning filmmaking — in this case brilliant cinematography, wonderfully realized production design and very effective music (an adaptation of Tristan and Isolde). Dunst and particularly Gainsbourg are quite good. But the best bits are turned in from the supporting cast, particularly Kiefer Sutherland, Stellan Skaarsgard and a brittle and wickedly funny Charlotte Rampling.
I doubt there’ll be a second Palme d’Or for von Trier (he won in 2000 for Dancer In The Dark). Unless they give these things out for putting your foot in your mouth.
Maybe he should take a page out of Malick’s book and leave it to others to sell his movies.
It’s a European “humor” thing. They honestly think they’re being charming when it’s really just annoying as fuck.
Expert in European humor are you? Dumb fuck!
You know “you are an idiot” Frank was actually criticizing it. And you, in your response, are actually defending it.
So who’s the dumb fuck?
That’s a bit ridiculous. Von Trier was spouting nothing, as he usually does, but to say that all Europeans and their humor are nihilistic is very simple minded and easily fans anti-American sentiment. Let’s be real. Europe – and the rest of the world – have produced far better filmmakers than the states, especially if you take Lynch & Mallick out of the equation. Even Kubrick stayed over there.
Point, he wasn’t defending it, he was pissed that you’re grouping all Europeans in with an anti-semite, and, in turn, implicitly reducing European intellect and art.
Sorry, not an anti-semite, just a dumb nihilist.
Not true at all; the US has produced far more great filmmakers than any other country. Orson Welles, DW Griffith, John Ford, Howard Hawks, Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppolla, Woody Allen, Martin Scorcese, John Huston, David Lynch, Robert Altman, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, etc.
British humor is obviously good but countries such as Denmark are hardly known for their great comics, so there is no such thing as a single “European humor” anyway. I’ve never seen any of Von Trier’s movies but he seems like a pretentious bore.
Why would this fan anti-American sentiment? Taking one comment posted by an anonymous person, who you don’t know their nationality, and judging an entire country for it seems a bit ironic considering the point you are trying to make. Instead your snooty comments have now fanned the flame of American disgust for European elitism.
America gets knocked because we create some very bad films for popular consumption (which also do quite well in Europe I might add) but I don’t think there is any question that we produce any less great films or filmmakers than any other country in the world, even if you arbitrarily exclude 3 American filmmakers from the total. Just look historically at the films showing at Cannes as judged by an international panel.
Thank you, YOU! I hate these smarmy arrogant shits who come here just looking to disagree and condescend. I get what precisely what Frank was alluding to. As most people of average reason did.
Case in point.
Actually, Frank’s comment was the first thing that ran through my mind when I read the article.
i am, because i’m european, sucker! and yes, thats how we’re making the best possible fun of something terrible like this! we’re also joking about retards, carcrashs and a lot of other stuff that hurts people!
So Von Trier gets a free pass for such horrid behavior becuase he’s just being old flip Lars? Fuck that and fuck this guy. He hasn’t made a good movie in decades and he contributes nothing to society. He should hang out with Uwe Bol. He sympathizes with Hitler? How about sympathizing a fist to the face.
Well said.
Leave it to a xenophobic and misogynistic prick like von Trier to pull this. I pray this turns Hollywood off this douche, for good.
dude, Hollywood couldn’t give less of a shit about this guy and “they” never did.
That said, anytime he gets press, he wins. Stop paying attention to him and he’ll go away.
I’m referring to the quality of actors von Trier attracts to his projects. Nicole Kidman, Bryce Dallas Howard, Danny Glover, Lauren Bacall, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, John Hurt…
… do they want to work with him just to say “I did a film with Lars von Trier and my career lived to tell about it”? Has to be.
Not a big fan of Von Trier’s recent output, but even his worst films are ten times more interesting than 99% of the dreck Hollywood churns out. I’m sure he’s crying himself to sleep tonight knowing that he’s alienated Hollywood and he won’t be asked by some hack studio head to direct the next comic book hero sequel, and he won’t be as rich as Brett Ratner or Michael Bay. What a tragedy for him.
How absolutely foolish for Von Trier to make these statements. I don’t get it…is he serious or just insensitive and stupid?
Jane M. Wed, May 18, 2011, 1:37 PM
Artists, creators play with words, and they are never good PR experts. Von Trier, as many creators, writers etc. has a deep dark sense of humour, without realizing that his jokes make people feel creepy. Not everybody has the same cynical sense of humour. He spoke about Hitler as about a character hidden in his bunker, not about H. as a historical figure. I think that what he says can be ignored and we need to focus on the movie and von Trier’s creations. These will remain over years in our memory, not his press conferences. Jane M.
Von Trier is an amazing director.He is crazy but extreamly talented filmmaker.
So is Mel Gibson…
nah, they’re both cinematic rain men (like D. Hoffman style) capable of making something spectacular enough to inspire people to give up their conscious mind, without actually saying anything. Now how is it that Von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark won and Mulholland Dr. didn’t?
Agreed, I laughed out loud when I saw the last shot of Dancer in the Dark (Bells ringing in the clouds.) I think LVT is one of the most pretentious, overrated, and overhyped European filmmakers.
The only thing I like more than anti-Semites that out themselves in a bid for publicity are Danish hacks that die young.
As distasteful as the comment is, he has a history of being flip at press conferences and it’s obvious here he was doing more of the same. This belongs more on the tabloids.
Doesn’t sound shocking to me. He was clearly trying to be sarcastic with the “I’m a Nazi” part. But I’m undecided whether it was truly funny or not.
The Hitler remark is understandable. When you read about Hitler’s life and misfortunes, you can “ALMOST” feel pity for him. This little simpleton was overwhelmed by his lust for recognition. Obviously, it doesn’t excuse his absolutely terrible acts.
As for the Israel remark, I guess many people think alike. The most vocal Israel critics are actually Jewish; such opinions don’t necessarily stem from latent antisemitism.
Testing to see where the line is yourself, Kris? You’ve crossed it.
How so, Lourdes?
I stand by my comments, all I’m saying is:
1. No human being is inherently evil. It sounds like Hitler had deep emotional issues that led him to commit evil actions. It is important for all of us to try to understand what might have gone on inside his troubled little head, so we can avoid such a tragedy from happening again.
2. I’m tired of the old stigma according to which any criticism of Israel and its policies equals antisemitism.
These issues (and many more) need to be debated in a sensible and open manner, if we ever want to get beyond prejudice, blaming and name-calling, to build a world of peace and understanding. In that sense, I agree Lars’ comment certainly don’t help.
I’m pretty sure Lars Von Trier just hates everything generally and most things specifically if you press him on it.
And Dvelopment – “he hasn’t made a good movie in decades” – who do you think this guy is, Josef von Sternberg!
His feature output only goes back about 30 years with masterpieces like Europa (1991) in the last 20 and Breaking The Waves, Dancer In The Dark and Dogville in the past 15. Even his last, AntiChrist, is a fascinating though flawed movie.
I’ll let you get back to your Brett Ratner and Michael Bay movies now. Enjoy!
That’s right Rob. If I dont like Von Trier then I obviously love Brett Ratner’s films. I will allow myself to correct my statement. He hasn’t made a good film in a decade. Singular.
And if you think that ANTI-CHRIST was worth anyone’s time, then you no doubt condone Von Trier’s statements. There is such thing as satire. Mel Brooks’ “Springtime for Hitler” is satire. Mr. Von Trier offered no such satire in his statements. He was either stating them for truth in regard to his opinions or simply for shock value. In either case, he’s a dick. And so are you Rob.
“Mr. Von Trier offered no such satire in his statements. He was either stating them for truth in regard to his opinions or simply for shock value”
So it’s clear you still haven’t bothered to actually watch the press conference to see what he said and how he said it then, have you. how can you have an informed opinion if you’re not properly informed. It is clear to anyone he is neither stating them for truth or shock value.
Watch it, watch it, watch it! If you still think he was doing it to deliberately shock or because he’s actually an anti-semite then there’s no hope for you.
I think Von trier is being PROVOCATIVE, trying to get a REACTION, and these comments are proof it is WORKING……
Oh don’t worry Lars von Trier. They like freaks in France. They boo for Malick and then give standing ovation for woman abuser Gibson. They adore pedofile Polanski. They let him live in there. I’m sure they will be o’k with nazi too. You can move there and live in France. No problem. I’m sure that France press gave standing ovation to Trier when he was giving that nazi speech :)
Sucks that because of these comments Lars probably won’t be asked to direct THE WOLVERINE, because he would have killed on that project. :(
Mad as a hatter.
But the movie looks sick, hype-free and worth the price of admission to see what was shown in THAT trailer.
RICHARD LOVETT’S CAA REPRESENTS GAINSBOURG JIM BERKUS’ UTA REPRESENTS DUNST WHAT ARE THESE MOTHERFUCKERS THINKING?
That would never have played with an American audience. The French love that pseudo closeted anti-semitic shit.
this puts his famous anti-americanism in proper perspective… but beyond the controversy, other than the pseudo intellectuals, who actually likes the films of LVT???
Hey Frank, it’s a European thing? What makes you think Euros would be any less offended by this? That’s a pretty ignorant comment.
Lars Trier (the von was added later as a nod to what Stroheim or Sternberg had themselves done) was raised by a Jewish father but discovered later that his biological father was a German catholic. He has very ambivalent links with his biological father (who rejected him) and judaism (that he tries to reject to get closer to his biological father). In “Europa”, he has a cameo as a Jewish shady concentration camp survivor who denounces the hero to the police.
Anyway, the guy is nuts. We’re talking about someone who dedicated his first short to a childhood friend who had just died from cancer. He admitted decades later that he had invented the friend to get pitied and noticed.
Von Trier said something stupid and misanthropic in a press conference just to be provocative? Major news! I think we can all agree that it’s a good thing Von Trier has stuck to art. If only Hitler had done the same.
I would love to sit in on the marketing spin sessions for this film.
I think this makes Terence Malick’s press junket no-show the smartest move of the festival.
An apology isn’t good enough. Saying this was a joke isn’t enough. His remark is going to fuel anti-semitism. Lars is a racist and thats the truth. There are no jokes.
Fuel anti-semitism? Because a nitwit, cuckoo (if sometimes genius) Scandinavian arthouse director said something at a film festival press conference. You give Lars “von” Trier too much credit.
I somehow doubt there’s anyone out there reconsidering their opinion of the Jewish people based on Trier’s idiotic ramblings.
can you say ‘disproportional reaction’? I knew you could.