In a typical move of the German director, a provocative statement about his roots and Hitler was delivered during 'Melancholia' press conference.
- May 19, 2011
AceShowbiz - Before everything goes messier than it is, Lars von Trier has apologized for his comment at the press conference of "Melancholia" at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, May 18 morning. The director shocked the audience when he described himself a Nazi and the festival's execs have since demanded an explanation.
At the occasion, von Trier said about his German roots, "I thought I was a Jew and I was happy to be a Jew. But then I found out I was actually a Nazi ...And that also gave me some pleasure. What can I say? I understand Hitler ...I sympathize with him a bit." He also announced another movie with Kirsten Dunst that will have "a lot of very, very unpleasant sex."
The organizers don't quite sit well with his comment, saying "The director states that he let himself be egged on by a provocation. He presents his apology. The festival acknowledges this and is passing on Lars von Trier's apology." von Trier added, "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."
The fest then stated that they "never allow the event to become a forum for pronouncements on such subjects."
