‘What can I state … I comprehend Hitler’
Actress Kirsten Dunst looks at Lars Von Trier during his press conference. Source: AFP
Actress Kirsten Dunst and film director Lars Von Trier. Picture: AP Source: AP
Cannes bans director over Hitler commentsLars Von Trier stated he “wanted to be a Jew”Says “then I found out I was really a Nazi”Later apologised for his remarks via email
THE organisers of the Cannes film festival have banned Danish director Lars Von Trier after he declared that he was a Nazi and sympathised with Adolf Hitler.
The festival board of directors stated it “very firmly condemns these statements and declares Lars Von Trier persona non grata at the Cannes festival, with immediate effect”, the festival stated in a statement after an extraordinary meeting, AFP reported last night.
But his new film about the end of the world, Melancholia, remained in the competition.
While promoting the film yesterday, Von Trier told the crowd of international media that he originally believed himself to be Jewish before finding out otherwise.
“I really wanted to be a Jew and then I found out I was really a Nazi which also gave me some pleasure,” he said.
“What can I say, I comprehend Hitler. I think he did his wrong things … but I comprehend the man. He’s not what you would call a good guy but I comprehend him, I sympathise with him.”
Von Trier tried to back off his statements when the crowd grew obviously uncomfortable.
“I’m not against the Jews. I am of course very much for the Jews. How can I get out of this sentence? OK, I’m a Nazi,” the director said.
Von Trier apologised for his remarks that day, AFP reported.
“If I have hurt someone this morning by the words I stated at the press conference, I sincerely apologise,” he stated in an email.
“I am not anti-Semitic or racially prejudiced in any way, nor am I a Nazi.”
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Submited at Thursday, May 19th, 2011 at 6:00 pm on Movies by hilman
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