Editing Lars von Trier (section)

=== 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>