Cannes ban Lars Von Trier after Nazi Comments.

[Eden]

Danish director Lars Von Trier has accepted his ban from the Cannes Film Festival, following his claims that he sympathised with Adolf Hitler.

Von Trier came to Cannes to promote his new film Melancholia.
The festival's decision to ban him came after Wednesday's
press conference in which he stated:
"I understand Hitler but I think he did some wrong things yes absolutely but I can see him sitting in his bunker"
Von Trier said that while he was "not against Jews... Israel is a pain in the ass".

On a personal note I would like to say to Mr. Von Trier:
Allow me not to understand you... :::bigsigh:::

[Rex]

Eden, it was one of the most offensively bizarre things I have heard this year. I guess we aren't meant to get it.

[Nekatiivi]

He also said that he thinks the things Nazi's did where the most terrible things done in human history and he dosen't approve it. Understanding someone actions dosen't mean that you approve them.

And to be honest, Isreal isn't a little angel. But in the west you are not allowed to talk about things this publicly. Hurray to the freedom of speech!

[Veronika]

This is also the guy who hates the USA, but has never been there.

[danceronice]

Reading the comments in an article yesterday, I was wondering if he was either high or having some sort of psychotic break. I don't think he's actually a Nazi but I was definitely wondering if he's gone around the bend.

[milanessa]

But in the west you are not allowed to talk about things this publicly. Hurray to the freedom of speech!

[BigB08822]

It seemed like he was at first trying to make a joke but then he didn't know when to shut up and just kept on going and going. I saw the video and I felt awful for Kirsten Dunst. She was so clearly uncomfortable but too professional to make a scene or get up and leave.

[Jot the Dot Dot]

Inquiry: If he had made comparable comments about Joseph Stalin and communism, would the world give a flying crap?

[danceronice]

Inquiry: If he had made comparable comments about Joseph Stalin and communism, would the world give a flying crap?

No, but that's because a certain subset of that world (or rather their parents, grandparents, and teachers, some of whom are now on stamps, for cripes' sake) spent a lot of time sucking up to Stalin and his political system and THEIR kids are wearing Che Guevera t-shirts and deep at heart still think Soviet Russia is kind of cool.

Though Poland would still give a crap. As would a good chunk of Ukraine. And a few other countries in that region. But no one cares what they think.

[Cheylana]

Understanding someone actions dosen't mean that you approve them.

At least in the States, the word "understand" in this context is virtually synonymous with "sympathize." Maybe that's not what he meant, but that is what it sounds like. What is there to understand with respect to a man who attempted to eliminate an entire ethnicity/religion and was responsible for the deaths of millions of people?

[caseyedwards]

I am reminded of when Marge Schott owner of the Cincinatti Reds said Hitler did some good things but went too far.

[Hedwig]

Might this have been a language issue? When I read the quote I had to struggle at first to understand what was so offensive but then Cheylana's explanation of "understand" is synonymous with sympathize made it clear.
I hope that he meant that he could comprehend(? is that the right word) how someone with Hitler's mindset would think the way he did without ever never ever thinking the same way.

[Allen]

This is also the guy who hates the USA, but has never been there.

I thought the issue was that he was afraid to fly, not that he hated the US.

I'm honestly not surprised by his comments. He's notorious for saying horribly offensive things to his actors... to the point that a lot of actors will not even accept scripts that are attached to him.

He is one of the most incredible film makers of our time, but as amazing as his films are, Dogville is the only one I can bear to watch again because the others are so bleak and heart wrenching.

[Veronika]

I thought the issue was that he was afraid to fly, not that he hated the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_von_Trier#Trilogies

Lars von Trier proposed the films as ‘a series of sermons on America’s sins and hypocrisy’, inspired by the fact that American movie makers have made many movies about places across the world to which they have not travelled.

[my little pony]

i hate his films, i would walk out on every one of them, even if they were being shown on a plane

[milanessa]

i hate his films, i would walk out on every one of them, even if they were being shown on a plane

But you have wings.

[manleywoman]

i hate his films, i would walk out on every one of them, even if they were being shown on a plane

I saw "Breaking the Waves" in the theater upon release. One things I'll say about it, I've never forgotten it.

Then I saw "Dancer in the Dark" not realizing it was the same director. And the whole time I'm watching it, I thought to myself, 'this reminds me of Breaking The Waves.' Sure enough . . .

Even though the acting was amazing in all films, I will never again watch another of his films. Despicable stuff, and he really seems hostile to his female characters.

[VALuvsMKwan]

Reading the comments in an article yesterday, I was wondering if he was either high or having some sort of psychotic break. I don't think he's actually a Nazi but I was definitely wondering if he's gone around the bend.

Probably watched too many of his own unwatchable films.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I saw "Breaking the Waves" in the theater upon release. One things I'll say about it, I've never forgotten it.

Then I saw "Dancer in the Dark" not realizing it was the same director. And the whole time I'm watching it, I thought to myself, 'this reminds me of Breaking The Waves.' Sure enough . . .

Even though the acting was amazing in all films, I will never again watch another of his films. Despicable stuff, and he really seems hostile to his female characters.

That's funny because the only movie of his that I can rewatch is Breaking the Waves. I thought Emily Watson deserved the Oscar for that performance (even over Frances McDormand in Fargo and Brenda Blethyn in Secrets and Lies - both films and performances I loved).

[IceAlisa]

Breaking The Waves was a great film. Assholes can be talented too.