I just received this “statement from Lars von Trier” regarding the aftermath of his endless number of comments, apologies and statements he’s made since he was declared persona non grata at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival where he said in a press conference for his latest film, Melancholia, “I understand Hitler… I sympathize with him a bit” and “Now how can I get out of this sentence? Okay, I’m a Nazi.” The comments didn’t go over too well, but von Trier has since decided to embrace the comments to the point he had “Persona Non Grata Cannes Film Festival” stamped on his own poster for the film.
Things apparently took a turn to the real recently in New Zealand leading to von Trier’s publicist issuing the following statement:
Today at 2 pm I was questioned by the Police of North Zealand in connection with charges made by the prosecution of Grasse in France from August 2011 regarding a possible violation of prohibition in French law against justification of war crimes. The investigation covers comments made during the press conference in Cannes in May 2011. Due to these serious accusations I have realized that I do not possess the skills to express myself unequivocally and I have therefore decided from this day forth to refrain from all public statements and interviews.
Lars von Trier
Avedore, 5. October 2011
While I think attacking the man for a joke he made in poor taste is ridiculous, especially “a possible violation of prohibition in French law against justification of war crimes,” I do think it’s about time he just decided to shut up.
I have included the original Cannes press conference video below. Melancholia will hit theaters here in the States on November 11 through Magnolia Pictures.
