Filmmaker booted out for Cannes Hitler talk
Source: Agencies |
May 20, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DANISH filmmaker Lars von Trier was booted out of the Cannes Film Festival yesterday for saying that he sympathizes with Adolf Hitler.
Festival President Gilles Jacob said von Trier had been banned from the rest of this year's festival, although he would not elaborate if the filmmaker might be allowed back in future years.
It was an unprecedented move by the festival that in 2000 bestowed its highest honor on one of von Trier's earlier films, "Dancer in the Dark."
The filmmaker's comments had "stained the reputation for the festival" and its 28-member board of directors felt it had to respond, Jacob said.
Von Trier's current film "Melancholia" remains in competition for all Cannes prizes - including the top Palme d'Or award - but if it wins any at Sunday's closing ceremony, he will not be allowed to attend.
At a news conference for the film on Wednesday, von Trier said in a rambling speech that he understood and sympathized with Hitler. He said afterward he had been joking and later issued an apology.
Thierry Fremaux, the general director at Cannes, said von Trier told festival officials that he "accepts the punishment."
"He's upset by this matter," Fremaux said. "He recognized that the festival had to take a firm position in regards to his comments."
Jacob said the board also considered throwing "Melancholia" out of the festival, "but in the end, the position that was taken was to distinguish between the work and the person."
The decision should not affect the nine-member jury's deliberations, Fremaux said.
Festival President Gilles Jacob said von Trier had been banned from the rest of this year's festival, although he would not elaborate if the filmmaker might be allowed back in future years.
It was an unprecedented move by the festival that in 2000 bestowed its highest honor on one of von Trier's earlier films, "Dancer in the Dark."
The filmmaker's comments had "stained the reputation for the festival" and its 28-member board of directors felt it had to respond, Jacob said.
Von Trier's current film "Melancholia" remains in competition for all Cannes prizes - including the top Palme d'Or award - but if it wins any at Sunday's closing ceremony, he will not be allowed to attend.
At a news conference for the film on Wednesday, von Trier said in a rambling speech that he understood and sympathized with Hitler. He said afterward he had been joking and later issued an apology.
Thierry Fremaux, the general director at Cannes, said von Trier told festival officials that he "accepts the punishment."
"He's upset by this matter," Fremaux said. "He recognized that the festival had to take a firm position in regards to his comments."
Jacob said the board also considered throwing "Melancholia" out of the festival, "but in the end, the position that was taken was to distinguish between the work and the person."
The decision should not affect the nine-member jury's deliberations, Fremaux said.
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