Having watched the actual conference, I have to admit, that what you here describe is NOT what happened at all. You've omitted key points, taken sentences out of context and put forth a sensationalistic description. For his "Nazi" comments, I think it's important to remember that Lars von Trier thought he was Jewish (from his father's side) for most of his life, untill his mum on her deadbed told him his real father was somebody completely different (a doctor Hartmann) - a bloodline extending way back to the German aristocracy. - Aka (as described by Von Trier) a situation where he has "more Nazi blood than Jewish blood" in him. Which was basically what he said. (Like one would say "I'm a Swede" if your ancestors came from Sweden) And I don't know why it is still to this day unheard of to debate the aestethics used by the Nazis - the real underlining point to what Lars von Trier spoke about on the conference. One particular interesting thing about Lars von Trier, is how woefully different European press and American press reacts to his sarcasms and obvious teases. Apparently European press "gets" him and take his b..s... for what it is (which is as immature jokes), while the American press believes everything he says. How ever, since the man *is* European.understood by his cultural sorroundings, could it then be then that it is the American press and journalists, therby also you who in my opinion manipulated a story untill you got the one presented here, that really don't "get him"? Maybe, I'd say, it is true what they say about Americans and self-irony (and in Lars von Trier's case- self loathing sarcasm). This story is a fart in a bubble bath, not a storm. I just wanted to object to the notion that one can butcher an event and take thing so much out of context that you end up: lying. Anyway, apart from this report, I really enjoy your coverage of Cannes - keep up the good work.

Ebert: Hmmm. This story in the Guardian seems pretty close to what Chaz reports:

http://bit.ly/lo8jjN

Something tells me that Von Trier's planned collaboration with Martin Scorsese just went down the drain.

Is this for real? I never cared for his films, but I didn't think he was an anti-Semite. Bizarre.

I loved your review of 'Antichrist' because it seemed the most balanced mainstream examination of it, and it seemed you 'got' him. Von Trier is trolling. Simple as. Laugh with him.

While it is true that there are differences in perception between the American and European press coverage of the media, wouldn't this also hold true for the perception of the Holocaust and Nazis in general? I was under the impression that the Nazis caused far more pain and suffering on the continent than here in America and the general reaction to those claiming to be Nazis, even in jest (although it is difficult to ascertain in this instance), is a slightly stronger in Europe as a whole.
After all, aren't there stricter rules for the display of the swastika in almost all of Europe? Aren't there laws against Holocaust denial in Europe? Aren't there memorials, and remembrances, and scars, and traces, and stories closely associated with the Third Reich that still evoke the nightmare of the Nazis in those who experienced it first hand as well as their children and hopefully their children?
Certainly there is a lot to be said in film studies of the Nazi aesthetic in regards to form and content. However, even these studies recognize the effects of the art on the populace and on culture in general. There is a fine line between placing remarks such as these into the context of history and art and simply trying to apologize or defend childish remarks such as these. If von Trier was attempting to be slightly transgressive through irony or sarcasm he failed.

The guy is just a little spooked with the world ending Saturday. Speaking of that, Ebert, you better fasten your seat belts too.

Lars von Trier has a career in film because he gives people something to talk about. Whether it's his films or his own tedious behavior.

Let's see a FEMALE director behave like that - and get away with it. Let's see a woman make the sort of films von Trier does - uncaring of how the audience might feel or react; a take it or leave it approach.

Ie: I'm the director and if you don't like my film - I don't care. I made it for myself, not you.

Do you think she'd be able to find investors? Or a studio willing to back it? Do you think a woman would get cut as much slack as von Trier is afforded?

That's what bothers me about Lars He's like the measuring stick of just how much self-serving crap a guy can get away with it, under the guise of "Art House Film."

For whenever I hear people talking about him, it's never about how much they enjoy watching his movies. Or how much better a person they are now, for having seen them; their lives enriched by the experience.

Quite the opposite.

Meanwhile, Tilda Swinton, "I Am Love" - 10 years in the making.

As a Dane I am truly embarrassed. It is about time that Danes grew up and realized that they cannot say or do whatever they please in a public forum. Lars Von Trier knew exactly what he said and was going for the shock value. Hoping to generate attention. Well he did. In Denmark nothing would probably have happened as a result of his vile comments. The "tolerance" is very high - even our ministers run their mouths in a very caustic fashion. I hope Von Triers insensitive and inexcusable remarks will generate a debate on public speaking - and sensitivity toward others.

Dear Henrik: I stand by my report and Von Trier made every statement I reported, though not all at once. If I have any regret its that I could have added that Von Trier's statements were taken as jokes by some. Do I think he is a Nazi? No, I hope not and I don't think so. Do Americans take these statements more seriously than Europeans? Perhaps, and are undoubtedly more prone to political correctness and less leanings toward irony. We know to expect outrageous pronouncements from Von Trier, but the journalists I spoke with afterwards thought he went too far this time. I would have rather been reporting on his film MELANCHOLIA, which was a visually stunning exploration of depression and melancholy with a strongly nuanced performance by Kirsten Dunst. But his Nazi statements somehow trumped that. Do I look forward to seeing a Von Trier film in Competiton? Yes, and would I continue to look forward to his films? Yes. He is one of our most interesting filmmakers and I wouldn't want to be deprived of his images or his ideas. But I condemn his remarks about Hitler, Naziism and the Holocaust. These are not matters to joke about. Chaz Ebert

Here's his direct quotes:

“For a long time I thought I was a Jew and I was happy to be a Jew, then I met Susanne Bier and I wasn’t so happy. No, that was a joke, sorry… [the room laughs]. But it turned out I was not a Jew, and if I had been a Jew I’d have been a second-rate Jew, because there’s kind of a… hierarchy in the Jewish population.

But no, I really wanted to be a Jew but then I found out I was really a Nazi. Because my family was German, which also gave me some pleasure. [chuckle] What can I say? I understand Hitler… I think he did some wrong things, yes absolutely. But I can see him sitting in his bunker at the end

[Kirsten rolls her eyes "oh god"]

[Looking at her] What? There will come a point at the end of this- I will- No, I’m just saying I think I understand the man. He’s not what you would call a “good guy” but I understand much about him. I sympathize with him a little bit. I don’t mean I’m in favor of World War II and I’m not against Jews, not even Susanne Bier. That was also a joke. In fact I’m very much in favor of them. All Jews. Well, Israel is a pain in the ass but… Now how can I get out of this sentence? [laughter] No, I just want to say about the art- I’m very much for… Speer, is it? Albrecth Speer I liked. He was also maybe one of god’s best children, but he had some talent. It was possible for him to use during… [giving up] Ok. I’m a Nazi.”

“Yes. We Nazis have a tendency to try and do things on a greater scale. [chuckling] Maybe I could do The Final Solution, with journalists.”

Chaz, you're amazing. Your Cannes reports are amazing and your perspectives are amazing. Kudos. Roger is a lucky lucky man.

@Marie Haws

"Let's see a FEMALE director behave like that - and get away with it. Let's see a woman make the sort of films von Trier does - uncaring of how the audience might feel or react; a take it or leave it approach."

Lina Wertmüller?

Catherine Breillat?

Claire Denis?

I LOVE Von Trier films. Dancer in the Dark alone is enough for me to want to always see his next film. That film did affect me, Im not sure it changed my life but it certainly made it more enjoyable.. The Kingdom? Brilliant! And of course Breaking the Waves. Dancer in the Dark is my all time favorite of his films with Breaking the Waves coming in very close second, both films being two of my all time favorite films period. These comments are rather unfortunate, as people in the spotlight are not allowed to joke about Nazism. But I think the less attention paid, and the less importance attached, the better. Can't wait for Melancholia!!

It does sound like he was trying to be funny (unsuccessfully). I'm equally disturbed by his (embarrassingly unfunny) jokes about Gainsbourg and Dunst regarding the porn project. Even a teenage boy cannot get away with such dumb-ass-ity.

This reminds me of Jimmy the Greek and his comments about slavery and African-American athletes. Whether or not you could rationalize his statement did not erase the fact that it was a very offensive and inappropriate thing to say.

Lars Von Trier is NOT a Nazi. He is an exceptionally talented film maker who always leaves his fans thirsty for more....We wonder what he will do next.

Well, now we don't have to wonder....He called himself a Nazi......Chaz you've undoubtedly hit the nail on the head with respect to the difference in the way Americans react to these types of statements. It's too bad Kirsten Dunst's performance was overshadowed by the controversy of the comments. Can't wait to see the film!!!

As a longtime Lars von Trier fan, this recent comment he made at Cannes is not surprising. He's a guy that likes to rile people up just to get attention. I don't take him very seriously as a person as I know he's a prankster.

Let's not forget that he declared himself "the best filmmaker in the world" although I think he's in my personal top 5. Let's also not forget that he called Roman Polanski "a midget" and gave the jury the finger for not giving him the Palme D'or at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival (come on, "Barton Fink" was the best film that year).

I prefer to separate the artist from the person and his work pretty much has won me over time and time again. He's an egomaniac but a funny one.

I can understand if people are upset but this is from a guy who has lots of phobias and wouldn't even step into an airplane.

Keep up the great work Chaz, I like what you're doing.

I think Lars ended up going up on this uncomfortable rant because "Melancholia" did not get the same polarized reception that his other films like "Antichrist" and "Dancer In The Dark" did. I also don't think he was at all serious, not that what he said makes it any less foolish. Perhaps he just wants people to hate him or question him more deeply. As a joke, it certainly didn't elicit many laughs for good reason. I don't know, but I still want to see "Melancholia" when it comes out.

He was joking. The "Yes, I am a Nazi" in particular was a joke. This is a much more accurate report, which actually says the same thing as this one, but doesn't leave out the tone in which the comments were made: http://www.avclub.com/articles/lars-von-triers-i-am-a-nazi-joke-didnt-go-over-so,56260/

And maybe the joke was a bit misguided, but it's stupid to get offended if he didn't insult anybody (maybe Susanne Bier). And when he was asked by a merciful reporter who was trying to change the subject if he would ever try to film a Hollywood blockbuster, Von Trier answered: "Yes. We Nazis have a tendency to try to do things on a greater scale. Maybe I could do the Final Solution.” Come on, that was pretty funny.

I watched the video of the event, and I don't think Chaz Ebert misrepresented Mr. Von Trier's remarks. Watching it, it seems as though he's having a mini-meltdown. I also doubt whether he's a Nazi, but I don't doubt that he suffers from a rather juvenile desire to shock, which seemed to go down poorly with the crowd (well, at least with Kirsten Dunst, to her credit). He seems, in the video, unable to stop himself. Which is a bit sad. One or two darkly humorous pro-Nazi "jokes" are, frankly, bad enough---but he was starting to go well beyond the pale towards the end of his babbling. If there was a larger satirical context, I admit that it eluded me. Final Solution jokes?? Yecch.

That's the press I guess, much ado about nothing.

Wait...did Cannes just ban a guy for having the wrong kind of humor?

I guess we now know who the real fascist are.

Dear Chaz.
Thank you for clarifying. I still do disagree in your report from the (horrible) conference, as I think omitting all the little things he said in between clouds the idea that he *was* being very outthere. Just his mere tone of voice and he delievery should make us think more of Andy Kaufman than Hitler.
If we're talking film, I think to bring up the tone of Scandinavian film director Roy Andersons movies as a way to understand how on Earth somebody could find humor in these topics. I don't agree with Lars von Trier's humor, but I can admit that he *was* trying, and failing, in his own awkward way to be funny (which he never is, is he?) -and mostly on his own expence (a Nazi Jew? That's a dead give away). But how to report things, I guess is tricky, because can you ever theoretically speaking re-tell an event in full?

Maybe I'm just frustrated about the scandal of this, thinking it wouldn't be that much of a scandal if we could accept his intention (apparently -he later remarked- to wanted to talk about how he thought that all humans have evil, a little Nazi, in them and we must choose, not just follow; in the same way he talked about "light" in the Eastern church or the opposite) rather than his words. But admittedly, you are not the forerunner of the scandal and I probably slipped frustration out too quickly.

Thank you anyway, and I'm still following you with pleasure.

Henrik

A few minutes ago I once again put my acid reflux at risk by visiting the Big Hollywood Breitbart website.

John Nolte, the hardline rightwinger who runs the site, has posted several items about Mr. von Trier's nutball press conference at Cannes.
Not surprisingly, Roger, one of them is a direct attack on you.
Mr. Nolte starts off by attributing the story posted above to you rather than to Chaz, indicating that reading something carefully is not in his skill set.
Nolte then proceeds to read the account of von Trier's medical-psychological history as though it were a defense of his behavior - Nolte says that it's "making excuses" for von Trier's comments.
Nolte concludes his attack by simply saying "Comments are open ..."
Then come the comments from his faithful readers, which Nolte clearly has not moderated.
To be fair, a handful of the commenters caught on to the fact that Chaz wrote the original piece rather than you.
But even those ones still insisted on misreading the piece, accusing both of you of racism, anti-Semitism, soullessness, and worst of all - Liberalism!
There was also the comment from guy who decided to once again make a slurring reference to Chaz's ethnicity vis-a-vis your own - you know, the kind that even the most vehement websites usually delete (but Nolte never seems to).
I wonder if Dennis Prager, who always proclaims that this kind of behavior is exclusive to the Left, has ever looked at this site.
Or Brent Bozell.
Or for that matter, Randy Masters.
Randy, if you're reading these words, consider this a challenge.
Go over to Big Hollywood and read what John Nolte and his commenters have to say about Roger and Chaz.
Then send him a response about his tactics.
Warning: they might just dismiss you as "another RINO."

Ebert: He's so nasty he should take Tums for the Mind.

I KNEW IT!

I realized out a few years back that half my ancestors were Norsemen. I'm Irish. So I might say "yeah I found out I'm a Viking". And the Vikings killed Irish people in all sorts of terrible ways. But that's hardly an expression of enthusiasm for what the Vikings did! It sounds to me like he's just playing with everyone's sensitivities, and our idea of our own personal histories.

As another Dane, I'd have to say this is getting blown completely out of proportions.

When watching the conference I was not at any moment in doubt that he was just joking. This is fairly typical danish humor, which often involves wrapping sensible thoughts into absurd statements like the ones presented here by Trier.

Of course, saying stuff like that at an international conference is pretty stupid, unless you're intentionally trolling for extreme reactions.

Danish people tend to be able to joke about everything, including jews and nazis. It can easily offend the more sensitive outsiders though.

I am really disappointed by this story and the resulting banishment. I happen to believe that Lars and every other artist should be allowed to say whatever they want so long as the law is not broken. He did not deny the holocaust and he apologized for his statements. If you do not like his answers, bad jokes, and overall very poor stream of consciousness do not speak to the man, but banishing him is cowardly. Attempting to ban or discredit his work based on an interview would also set a very poor standard for artists and would be a big win for a culture of censorship. If the Cannes film festival is not a safe haven for free speech then the artistic value of this festival is lost.

Here's the official videos. The comments start at the 35:00 minute mark.

http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/mediaPlayer/11391.html

Genuine apologies don't being with "If..."

Let's just stop with all the nonsense and take this thing for what it really is - a slightly mad and kooky director whose attempt at intelligent humor fell flat, who couldn't align his thoughts with what he actually said, got tongue tied and caught himself out with a ridiculous punchline. I'm getting tired of the hysteria every time someone in the public eye says something dubious, something dumb, something vaguely offensive. It's not as though this guy has any political gravitas. He is a fringe director for Christs sake. These are artists, prone to bouts of eccentricity and, well, behavioral stupidity. Hell, I like my creatives slightly unhinged. This whole farce is being perpetuated by a media less interested in focusing on the incredible Art on display, and more interested in sensational headlines, context be damned. The over reaction is so tedious.The only thing Lars should be found guilty on was thinking he was being more clever than he really was, realizing that and, in a awkward and oafish finale, blurting out something crass. To paraphrase Nabokov, I think like a genius, I film like a distinguished director, and I speak like a child.

There's should be a difference between saying something infused with hatred and saying something infused with stupidity. Von Trier falls into the latter category, but is being treated as if he belongs in the former category.

What worries me about this incident is that we should save our vitriol for the real racists, bigots, and hate-mongers out there, and forgive and forget those people who make comments that are merely asinine, in bad taste, or just plain weird. If not, we condemn everyone to a politically correct world where only correct things can be said, and while a little foresight before saying something isn't a bad thing, damning someone for every thing that comes out of their mouth is to ignore the flaws that are inherent in man and womankind. What Von Trier said makes me squirm a little, but it sounded more like a heavy-handed attempt at humor than a director spouting an ideology of hate, and I've heard worse, from people who actually believe what they've said.

Wait a minute. You can only have one All Fool's Day per year. Now, take back this story.

Why do we often pretend likes jokes don't matter? I don't know if Von Trier was joking or not, but for sake of this discussion let's assume he might of been. First, it clearly was not funny which is an offense in-and-of itself. Second, the fact that he thought he was being funny is telling. It not only tells us something about Von Trier himself, but the various reactions also provide insight. Just because something is meant as a joke does not mean it should not be taken seriously. Too often individuals hide behind their horrible comments by later trying to brush it aside by saying, "Lighten up, I was just joking!" This is not only a horrible defense, but makes us look like fools when we believe them. Yes, sometimes a bad joke falls flat, and can be embarassing for all involved. But bad comedy should not be an excuse for poor taste or misguided commentary. If Von Trier wants to be a Nazi, fine. Then he should take it seriously. If he is not a Nazi, then he should be more aware of what is coming out of his mouth and the reactions to his comments. Making fun of Nazis or providing biting social commentary about Hitler can be funny. Rambling on about your demons in a press conference is really just a hidden confession wrapped in uncomfortable laughter wrapped in a poor excuse later.

Wait, so when Megan Fox called Michael Bay a Nazi, she was just ungrateful, but when Lars calls himself a Nazi, its a serious issue? While, she was fired from Transformers 3, that was more of a reward than a punishment.

Nazi is such an overused word these days that it really doesn't mean much anymore. Socialism seems to be seen as a more powerful word for evil.

I regard Lars Von Trier (a countryman of mine, btw.) as a genious who made some stupid, insensitive remarks.

Knowing him from his reputation in our own little pond, I think I can safely vouch for him as non-nazi. Could a nazi have made The Idiots?

Even though Lars Von Trier can only blame himself for this debacle, I think the tabloid-like headline (Yes, I am a nazi) is very sensationalist and misrepresenting him.

Cannes is now filled with Wussies.The certifiable Klaus Kinski once told Herzog he could have out Hitler, Hitler. Served the Fehrer in WW2 before he lost interest, deserted, and wound up a British POW. Klaus, unlike some, was never boring and never canned at Cannes.

Check this out and make your own conclusions:
Kinski Cannes Ausraster FUNNIEST ONES@ youtube.com/watch?v=VyM68DCq9hE&NR=1

Note: There is also an English translation here of Mr. Kinski's unique observations. His final remark however, that the Cannes crowd are mongoloids, needs no rendering.

It was a bad joke, plain a simple, in keeping with a well known history of off-color humor.
And should be taken as such, rather than out of context, in order to demonize the man from a politically correct pulpit.
Anyone who can't see that, clearly fails to understand sarcasm, and humanity, for that matter.

When he beats a critic with a hammer in a commercial do we assume that he is actually a murderer?

It's Cannes perogative to kick him out if they want, though the reason is equally as foolish and immature as his remarks.

It seems the Internet (or at least the comments section of this article) has got Von Trier's number: he is just a troll. A blowhard one - but aren't they all? And also, just to maintain the stereotype, apparently has a powerful misogynistic streak that befits a troll.

Any interest I might summon in him or his work is dispelled by that instinct every citizen of the Internet quickly develops - don't feed the trolls. In truth, since I know of him, know of his films and have a considered opinion on both I've already afforded him more mental energy than he deserves. And to those who defend him as an artist I say this: the fact that you can express yourself with great skill does not mean that what you have to say is worth hearing. (Observe Werner Herzog, who also possesses great skill, but has a great deal of things to say, all of them interesting.) After all, Triumph of the Will was made with great skill*.

In a way I have more respect for that other great troll of modern cinema, Michael Haneke. He is quite upfront with the fact that he only wants to piss you off, and once defined, works within that frame. He does not pretend to the type of artistic relevance Von Trier does; it's easy to know what you're getting (into) with a Haneke film. (He's still a troll though - if he actually believed in his rhetoric he'd give everyone who walked out on Funny Games a refund.)

I suppose this is a highly conservative view of art, but it is mine, and if art is about feeling, then this is the way I feel.

*This is perhaps one of the few comment threads on the entire Net where a Nazi comparison can be said to be pertinent to the discussion.

Joking about the "final solution"? A laugh riot! I suggest Von Trier visit a Holocaust museum some time. If he likes I can give him a lecture on Nazi abuses that will leave him shaken to his core. Funny? Not at all. It's amazing how ignorant the current generations are of past history. It's why they are doomed to repeat it. National Socialists, Communists, Islamists, etc, etc are all cut from the same cloth. Rules are always for the other guy, not for them.

Either be upset about everything, or nothing.

If you watch the video he is very clearly kidding--about being a Nazi and about his 3 to 4 hour porn film that explores the differences between the Eastern and Western church.

I'm not even offended at what Von Trier said because, honestly, I don't even understand what he said.

When people say crazy and stupid things and actually mean them, that's one thing. When it is bizarre jibber jabber, the best response is to just ignore it.

I can't see Von Trier being a racist. Many things- egomaniac, lunatic, control freak- but a real racist? No. Just an idiot.

It sort of sounds like he was joking, anyway. Bad joke but a joke.

"With that moderator Henri Behar called a halt to the conference because it was clear at that point that Von Trier just could not stop himself."

If you had actually watched the press conference you'd know that Behar ended the press conference when it was suppose to end. He quite clearly states "We will take just two more questions. Short", followed by two more questions. Then it ends. It is most definitely not the case that he "called a halt to the conference because it was clear at that point the Von Trier just could not stop himself"

It seems that not only Von Trier but larger swaths of humanity haven't realized yet that 'I am a Nazi' stopped being murderous posturing and delusion gone rampant some time in February 1943 when the battle for Stalingrad was won and the marching boys in tall leather boots started getting their asses seriously kicked all across the many locations they had invaded. In other words, it is about time the term 'Nazi' in post-war era became laughable. Thank Goddess for Stanley and Dr. Strangelove, but the message travels slowly, it appears. Far too slowly.
Then again, maybe he DID realize it but his delivery is just plain bad.

And speaking of Goddesses... 'I Am Love' is not a great film. In fact, it is rather bad. It should have taken another 10 years to be made. Not to be a stickler, but Tilda Swinton would have been too young for the role 10 years ago, and will be too old in another 10 years, hence as an homage to a muse and/or an excercise in self-love, the timing was perfect. But that alone does not make a film good.
Sexism, ageism, bullying, racism... will be always present where ever there is money and power.

The inanity of Lars @ a press conference does one thing well - it highlights the banality and the vulgar spectacle of our age. Enough already, should be the collective cry but we are all suprisingly silent where it matters. Who would have thought that a camera and a microphone would end up serving such petty purpose. And the death of 50 million people tossed around as streams of toilet paper. Pathetic.

Being shocked that von Trier says crazy-ass things is like being shocked that Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a love child.

Vontrier is clearly too intellectualy and metaphorical for Cannes. My respect for the Cannes film festival has just dropped from very high to absolute zero.

Vontrier is one of the kings of metaphor, and if Cannes is stuck behind a wall of main stream sensibility it is no longer sensitive enough to judge art.

Stephen Spielberg has created multiple movies that sympathize effectively and powerfully with both the nazi and anti-nazi sides of humanity, and Spielberg's power in those movies (Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List) comes explicitly from seeing humanity in everything. Heck, Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima" would not have been the masterpiece it was had he been unable to see humanity in everything including the country responsible for at least as much attrocity as Germany was in World War 2.

Cannes censorship of Von Trier and their decision to ban him has castrated its credibility as an institution of art and humanity.