Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2011 > May > 19 > Entry
Von Treir saga at Cannes
CANNES, France — Danish director Lars von Trier, whose “Melancholia” is considered one of the Cannes Film Festival’s standouts this year, will not be able to come back to the festival to accept any prizes, should he win.
Festival directors said Thursday that von Trier was declared “persona non grata” after he made joking but insensitive comments about sympathizing with HItler during a press conference Wednesday. Von Trier issued an apology late Wednesday, but it apparently did not satisfy Cannes.
Here’s today’s statement from the board: “The Festival de Cannes provides artists from around the world with an exceptional forum to present their works and defend freedom of expression and creation. The Festival’s Board of Directors, which held an extraordinary meeting this Thursday 19 May 2011, profoundly regrets that this forum has been used by Lars von Trier to express comments that are unacceptable, intolerable, and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the Festival.
“The Board of Directors firmly condemns these comments and declares Lars von Trier a persona non grata at the Festival de Cannes, with effect immediately.”
Von Trier has been a provocateur for decades. Two years ago, he shocked Cannes audiences with his highly sexual look at a dysfunctional marriage, “Antichrist.”
His new movie, “Melancholia,” focuses on a planet of the same name that is headed toward a collision with Earth — and the effects of the impending disaster on a highly secluded, multi-millionaire household.
- Related: Von Trier sticks foot in mouth
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Cannes
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.