Editing Lars von Trier (section)

== Controversies ==

=== Remarks during Cannes interview  ===
In May 2011, known to be provocative in interviews,<ref>{{cite web |last=Higgins |first=Charlotte |date=18 May 2011 |title=Lars Lars von Trier provokes Cannes with 'I'm a Nazi' comments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/may/18/lars-von-trier-cannes-2011-nazi-comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921205835/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/may/18/lars-von-trier-cannes-2011-nazi-comments |archive-date=21 September 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> von{{nbsp}}Trier's remarks during the press conference before the premiere of ''[[Melancholia (2011 film)|Melancholia]]'' in Cannes<ref>{{Citation |last=gustavo ponciano |title=Lars von Trier – Conférence de presse – Melancholia |date=19 May 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiAgWGzV8W4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/WiAgWGzV8W4 |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> caused significant controversy in the media, leading the festival to declare him ''[[persona non grata]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Von Trier 'persona non grata' at Cannes after Nazi row |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-13452978 |url-status=live |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915031953/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-13452978 |archive-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> He was therefore banned from Cannes for one year,<ref name="Nymphomaniac Cannes">{{cite web |date=22 November 2013 |title=Lars von Trier's Sex Epic 'Nymphomaniac' Can't Compete at Cannes, Says Thierry Fremaux |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lars-von-triers-sex-epic-659060 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011102153/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lars-von-triers-sex-epic-659060 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> although ''Melancholia'' still competed in that year's competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lars von Trier 'persona non grata' at Cannes after Hitler remarks |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lars-von-trier-persona-non-grata-at-cannes-after-hitler-remarks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819054118/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lars-von-trier-persona-non-grata-at-cannes-after-hitler-remarks/ |archive-date=19 August 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016 |website=[[CBS News]]|date=19 May 2011}}</ref>

Minutes before the end of the press conference, von Trier was asked about his German roots and the Nazi aesthetic, in response to his description of the film's genre as "German romance".<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Kyle |date=21 February 2014 |title=The Romantic Cynicism of Lars von Trier |url=http://theretroset.com/lars-von-trier-the-romantic-cynic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320195640/http://theretroset.com/lars-von-trier-the-romantic-cynic/ |archive-date=20 March 2019 |access-date=20 March 2019 |website=theretroset.com |publisher=The Retro Set}}</ref><ref name="hitler">{{Cite web |last=Hammid |date=18 May 2011 |title=Lars von Trier – 'I understand Hitler...' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpUqpLh0iRw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/QpUqpLh0iRw |archive-date=2021-10-30 |access-date=28 July 2016 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He joked that since he was "no longer Jewish," having been told the truth about his biological father, he now "understands" and "sympathizes" with Hitler, that he is not against the Jews except for Israel which is "a pain in the ass" and that he is a Nazi.<ref name="hitler" /> Von Trier was branded an antisemite for his remarks.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 May 2011 |title=Lars Von Trier at Cannes: Anti-Semitic spew or strange, stupid gaffe? UPDATED {{!}} Hollywood Jew |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/hollywoodjew/item/anti-semitic_spew_from_the_cannes_film_festival_from_director_lars_von_trie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827235921/http://www.jewishjournal.com/hollywoodjew/item/anti-semitic_spew_from_the_cannes_film_festival_from_director_lars_von_trie/ |archive-date=27 August 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> He released a formal apology immediately after the press conference<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 2011 |title=Director apologises for Nazi, Hitler jokes in Cannes |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-cannes-hitler-idUKTRE74H36G20110518 |url-status=live |access-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208185126/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-cannes-hitler-idUKTRE74H36G20110518 |archive-date=8 December 2021 |via=www.reuters.com}}</ref> and kept apologizing for his joke during all of the interviews he gave in the weeks following the incident,<ref>{{Citation |last=RT |title='I'm not Nazi' – Lars von Trier in RT exclusive on Cannes Hitler remarks |date=24 May 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Hp3qB2F9Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/G_Hp3qB2F9Q |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=TheCelebFactory |title=Lars Von Trier interview on the Nazi comments he made at the Cannes Film Festival |date=28 September 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxg-um23ML4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/sxg-um23ML4 |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=celluloidVideo |title=LARS von TRIER comments on his Nazi statement in Cannes // 2011 |date=20 May 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8IsI-2b8Ls |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/_8IsI-2b8Ls |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> admitting that he was not sober,<ref>{{Citation |last=Mathias B. |title=Lars Von Trier interview 2014 English Subtitles (1/2) |date=15 February 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwsGibJgyqE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/DwsGibJgyqE |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and saying that he did not need to explain that he is not a Nazi.<ref>{{Citation |last=Anne Thompson |title=Lars von Trier Part One |date=25 May 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyw5FG7du-M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/Pyw5FG7du-M |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=euronews (in English) |title=euronews cinema – Von Trier regrets 'idiotic' Hitler comments |date=21 May 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssiDCO5AHlc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/ssiDCO5AHlc |access-date=28 July 2016 |archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, in 2019, von Trier stated that he made this remark at the "only press conference I ever had when I was sober."<ref>"A filmmaker's flamelike glow," ''New York Times'', 15 February 2019</ref>

The actors of ''Melancholia'' who were present during the incident – [[Kirsten Dunst|Dunst]], [[Charlotte Gainsbourg|Gainsbourg]], [[Stellan Skarsgård|Skarsgård]] – defended the director, pointing to his provocative sense of humor<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Hehir |first=Andrew |date=10 November 2011 |title=Interview: Charlotte Gainsbourg talks von Trier's 'Melancholia' |url=http://www.salon.com/2011/11/10/interview_charlotte_gainsbourg_talks_von_triers_melancholia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814235314/http://www.salon.com/2011/11/10/interview_charlotte_gainsbourg_talks_von_triers_melancholia/ |archive-date=14 August 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016 |website=Salon}}</ref><ref name="skarsgard" /> and his depression.<ref name="Dunst" /> He refused to attend a private press screening of his subsequent feature ''[[Nymphomaniac (film)|Nymphomaniac]]''. In the director's defense, Skarsgård stated at the screening, "Everyone knows he's not a Nazi, and it was disgraceful the way the press had these headlines saying he was."<ref>{{cite news |first=Xan |last=Brooks |date=5 December 2013 |title=Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac arouses debate as a 'really bad porn movie' |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/05/lars-von-trier-nymphomaniac-stellan-skarsgard?commentpage=1 |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025070923/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/05/lars-von-trier-nymphomaniac-stellan-skarsgard?commentpage=1 |archive-date=25 October 2018}}</ref> The director of the Cannes festival later called the controversy "unfair" and as "stupid" as von{{nbsp}}Trier's bad joke, concluding that his films are welcome at the festival and that von{{nbsp}}Trier is considered a "friend".<ref name="Nymphomaniac Cannes" />

=== Sex and violence in films ===
Several of his films – ''[[The Idiots]]'' (1998), ''[[Antichrist (film)|Antichrist]]'' (2009), ''[[Nymphomaniac (film)|Nymphomaniac]]'' (2013) and ''[[The House That Jack Built (2018 film)|The House That Jack Built]]'' (2018) – contain explicit content that has generated controversy;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazic |first=Manuela |date=2018-12-14 |title=The Hell That Lars von Trier Built |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/12/14/18139814/the-house-that-jack-built-lars-von-trier-review-dogville-nymphomaniac-antichrist-dance-in-the-dark |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref> the first faced widespread backlash upon its release as one film critic was ejected from its premiere screening at Cannes for heckling, and the film was heavily censored for subsequent releases.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title='The Idiots': Lars Von Trier's Controversial Film Gets 25th Anniversary Theatrical Release |url=https://collider.com/the-idiots-movie-release-date-remastered/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref> At the [[2018 Cannes Film Festival]], approximately 100 audience members walked out of the premiere of ''The House That Jack Built''.<ref name="JB" />

=== Sexual harassment allegations with Björk ===

In October 2017, Björk, in the wake of dozens of [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases|sexual abuse cases]] brought against film producer [[Harvey Weinstein]], posted on her [[Facebook]] page that she had been sexually harassed by a Danish film director.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nyren |first=Erin |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/bjork-sexual-harassment-danish-director-1202590429/ |title=Björk Shares Experience of Harassment By 'Danish Director:' He Created 'An Impressive Net of Illusion' |work=Variety |date=15 October 2017 |access-date=17 October 2017}}</ref> She commented:
{{blockquote|It was extremely clear to me when I walked into the actresses profession that my humiliation and role as a lesser sexually harassed being was the norm and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it. I became aware of that it is a universal thing that a director can touch and harass his actresses at will and the institution of film allows it. When I turned the director down repeatedly he sulked and punished me and created for his team an impressive net of illusion where I was framed as the difficult one. ...
and in my opinion he had a more fair and meaningful relationship with his actresses after my confrontation so there is hope. Let's hope this statement supports the actresses and actors all over. Let's stop this. There is a wave of change in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/bjork/posts/10155777444371460 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016011740/https://www.facebook.com/bjork/posts/10155777444371460 |author=Björk |title=i am inspired by the women everywhere who are speaking up online to tell about my experience with a danish director |publisher=Facebook |date=15 October 2017 |access-date=16 October 2017 |archive-date=16 October 2017}}</ref>}}
The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' found evidence identifying him as Lars von Trier.<ref>{{cite news |last=D'Zurilla |first=Christie |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-bjork-sexual-harassment-lars-von-1508261125-htmlstory.html |title=Björk details alleged harassment; Lars von Trier denies accusations |work=Los Angeles Times |date=17 October 2017 |access-date=17 October 2017}}</ref> Von Trier has rejected Björk's allegation that he sexually harassed her during the making of the film ''Dancer in the Dark'', and said "That was not the case. But that we were definitely not friends, that's a fact", to Danish daily ''[[Jyllands-Posten]]'' in its online edition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Enggaard |first=Michael |date=2017-10-16 |title=Lars von Trier: Der er intet i den sag |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/kultur/film/ECE9953026/lars-von-trier-der-er-intet-i-den-sag/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Jyllands-Posten |language=da}}</ref><ref name="DH" /> [[Peter Aalbæk Jensen]], the producer of ''Dancer in the Dark'', told ''Jyllands-Posten'' that "as far as I remember we [Lars von Trier and I] were the victims. That woman was stronger than both Lars von Trier and me and our company put together. She dictated everything and was about to close a movie of 100m kroner [$16m]".<ref name="DH">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/17/not-the-case-lars-von-trier-denies-sexually-harassing-bjork |title='Not the case': Lars Von Trier denies sexually harassing Björk |last=Staff and agencies |date=19 October 2017 |website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Enggaard |first=Michael |date=2017-10-15 |title=Peter Aalbæk afviser Björk-anklager om sexchikane: »Vi var ofrene« |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/kultur/film/ECE9952454/peter-aalbaek-afviser-bjoerkanklager-om-sexchikane-vi-var-ofrene/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Jyllands-Posten |language=da}}</ref> After von Trier's statement, Björk explained the details about this incident:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155782628166460&id=6747251459&_ft_=top_level_post_id.10155782628166460:tl_objid.10155782628166460:throwback_story_fbid.10155782628166460&__tn__=,; |title=Björk |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><blockquote>In the spirit of [[MeToo movement|#metoo]] I would like to lend women around the world a hand with a more detailed description of my experience with a Danish director. It feels extremely difficult to come out with something of this nature into the public, especially when immediately ridiculed by offenders. I fully sympathise with everyone who hesitates, even for years. But I feel it is the right time especially now when it could make a change. Here comes a list of the encounters that I think count as sexual harassment:

# After each take the director ran up to me and wrapped his arms around me for a long time in front of all crew or alone and stroked me sometimes for minutes against my wishes.
# When after 2 months of this i said he had to stop the touching, he exploded and broke a chair in front of everyone on set. Like someone who has always been allowed to fondle his actresses. Then we all got sent home.
# During the whole filming process there were constant awkward paralysing unwanted whispered sexual offers from him with graphic descriptions, sometimes with his wife standing next to us.
# While filming in Sweden, he threatened to climb from his room's balcony over to mine in the middle of the night with a clear sexual intention, while his wife was in the room next door. I escaped to my friends room. This was what finally woke me up to the severity of all this and made me stand my ground.
# Fabricated stories in the press about me being difficult by his producer. This matches beautifully the Weinstein methods and bullying. I have never eaten a shirt. Not sure that is even possible.
# I didn't comply or agree on being sexually harassed. That was then portrayed as me being difficult. If being difficult is standing up to being treated like that, i'll own it.

Hope

Let's break this curse.

Warmth

Björk</blockquote>Björk's manager, Derek Birkett, has spoken in support of her representation of von Trier's actions:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bjork-manager-accuses-lars-von-trier-verbal-physical-abuse-2153243 |title=Björk's manager accuses director Lars Von Trier of "verbal and physical abuse" – NME |website=[[NME]] |date=25 October 2017}}</ref>
{{blockquote|I have worked with Björk for over 30 years and have never made a single statement or interview regarding our work together. This time is different.
I have read the lies written by Lars and his producer Peter about Björk – and feel compelled to speak out and put the record straight. Over the last 30 years, the ''Dancer in the Dark'' project is the one and only time she has fallen out with a collaborator.
This was a result of the directors ongoing, disrespectful verbal and physical abuse which continued after both Björk and myself demanded that he stop behaving this way. Björk completed the film out of respect for the cast and everyone involved. I feel compelled to publicly speak out in fierce support of Björk in regards to her terrible experiences working with Lars Von Trier, and I back what she has said 110%.}}

''[[The Guardian]]'' later found that Jensen's studio, Zentropa, with which von Trier frequently collaborated, had an endemic culture of sexual harassment. Jensen stepped down from CEO position of Zentropa as further harassment allegations came to light in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/10/lars-von-trier-producer-peter-aalbaek-jensen-stop-slapping-asses |title=Lars von Trier producer: 'I'll stop slapping asses' in wake of #MeToo – The Guardian |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=10 May 2018}}</ref>

=== Animal cruelty during filming ===
A [[donkey]] was slaughtered for dramatic purposes during production of ''[[Manderlay]]'', an act that caused actors including [[John C. Reilly]] to quit the film in protest of its cruelty to animals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-05-19 |title=Lars Von Trier's controversial career |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-13455855 |access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref> The scene was cut from the film before it was released.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cruelty to Animals in the Entertainment Business : Cruel Camera – Cruelty on Film : the fifth estate : CBC News |work=CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/cruelty.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325193835/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/cruelty.html |archive-date=25 March 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Although ''[[The House That Jack Built (2018 film)|The House that Jack Built]]'' was praised by animal rights organization [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] for its use of realistic effects, a scene involving the main character mutilating a duckling was the subject of criticism from some audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2018-05-17 |title=PETA Defends Lars von Trier's 'The House That Jack Built' Against Backlash Over Graphic Animal Mutilation Scene |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/05/peta-defends-lars-von-trier-the-house-that-jack-built-duck-mutilation-1201965931/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=IndieWire |language=en}}</ref>

=== Position on the Russian war against Ukraine ===
In August 2023, Lars von Trier published on [[Instagram]] a critical entry against the delivery of [[F-16]] fighters to [[Ukraine]], ending his post by saying "Russian lives matter also!"<ref name="guardian-cain">{{cite web |last1=Cain |first1=Sian |title=Lars von Trier defends 'Russian lives matter also' comment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/25/lars-von-trier-defends-russian-lives-matter-also-comment |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=23 September 2023 |date=25 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=von Trier |first1=Lars |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CwQF70VMWS3/ |website=www.instagram.com |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230822185206/https://www.instagram.com/p/CwQF70VMWS3/ |archive-date=22 August 2023}}</ref> The entry immediately became publicized in official [[Russia]]n media and by the Russian [[propaganda]] officer [[Margarita Simonyan]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=ČTK |title=Lars von Trier zaujal Kyjev i Moskvu výrokem, že na ruských životech také záleží {{!}} ČeskéNoviny.cz |url=https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/lars-von-trier-zaujal-kyjev-i-moskvu-vyrokem-ze-na-ruskych-zivotech-take-zalezi/2404508 |website=www.ceskenoviny.cz |access-date=23 September 2023 |language=cs}}</ref> [[Oleksiy Danilov]], head of Ukraine's [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine|National Security and Defense Council]], responded on [[Twitter]], criticising von Trier's comments, saying, "The choice between the executioner and the victim becomes a tragedy when the artist chooses the side of the executioner."<ref name="guardian-cain" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Tom |title=Ukrainian official eviscerates Lars von Trier for 'Russian lives also matter' post |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/lars-von-trier-movies-russia-twitter-b2398520.html |website=The Independent |access-date=23 September 2023 |language=en |date=24 August 2023}}</ref> Two days later, Von Trier then made another post on Instagram, saying, "I support Ukraine with every beat of my heart! I was just stating the obvious: that all lives in this world matter!"<ref name="guardian-cain" />