Lars Von Trier Banned From Cannes

The Cannes festival is not tolerating Director Lars von Trier’s anti-semitic and offensive comments. On Wednesday, during a film festival press conference, von Trier announces that he was a Nazi, called Israel painful, and declared that actress Kristin Dunst insisted on being cast in a hardcore porn film.

Festival President Gilles Jacob made a statement on Thursday to announce that the director has been banned from this year’s festival, but didn’t include whether he would be permitted to return in future years.

In a statement released, the festival’s organizers “profoundly” regretted von Trier’s comments, describing them as “unacceptable, intolerable, and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the festival.”

The release also said “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 apologized for his remarks and denies being anti-semitic.

Thierry Fremaux, General Director at Cannes, has said that the director told festival officials that he “accepts his punishment.”

“He’s upset by this matter,” Fremaux explains. “He recognized that the festival had to take a firm position in regards to his comments.”

The Cannes festival was also considering removing von Trier’s Meloncholia from the festival as well, but Jacob says, “In the end, the position that was taken was to distinguish between the work and the person.”

Lars von Trier is a Cannes Festival favorite, with a total of nine films in the Cannes main competition since 1984, including Dogville, Manderlay, and Breaking the Waves.

Hopefully the beloved director will develop a stronger filtration system (or less offensive sense of humour) so he may submit future films to the internationally acclaimed festival.