Von Trier takes vow of silence over Cannes charges

Danish film director Lars von Trier said he is facing charges of violating French law against justification of war crimes over statements he made about Adolf Hitler and Jews at the Cannes film festival.

Yesterday Mr Von Trier said: “Due to these serious accusations I have realised 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.”

He was ejected from the festival in May after expressing sympathy for Hitler at a news conference for his film Melancholia. In a rambling speech, he said his German ancestry made him “sympathise with [Hitler] a little bit.”

He later claimed he had been joking and issued an apology which he later retracted. At the time of his outburst Kirsten Dunst, an actress in Melancholia, lent over and whispered to him, “Oh my God, this is terrible.”

Mr Von Trier then added: “I am very much for Jews. No, not too much, because Israel is a pain in the ass.”