Declared persona non grata; if melancholia wins award,von trier wont be there to receive prize

Christine Aime,who heads the festival press office,said von Triers current film,Melancholia,remains in competition but that if it wins anything at Sundays closing ceremony,von Trier wont be there to receive the prize.

At a news conference for the film Wednesday,von Trier said in a rambling speech that he understood and sympathised with Hitler. He said afterward he had been joking and later issued an apology.

The festival statement said the Cannes board of directors firmly condemns these comments and declares Lars von Trier a persona non grata at the festival.

The festival provides artists from around the world with an exceptional forum to present their works and defend freedom of expression and creation, the statement said. The board profoundly regrets that this forum has been used by Lars von Trier to express comments that are unacceptable,intolerable,and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the festival.

On Wednesday,von Trier told reporters that he had some compassion for Hitler.

What can I say? I understand Hitler,but I think he did some wrong things,yes,absolutely. But I can see him sitting in his bunker in the end, von Trier said. Hes not what you would call a good guy,but I understand much about him,and I sympathise with him a little bit. But come on,Im not for the Second World War,and Im not against Jews…. I am very much for Jews. No,not too much,because Israel is a pain in the ass.

Von Trier went on to say he admired Hitler aide Albert Speer. The remarks came as von Trier discussed his German heritage.

In an interview afterward,von Trier said he had been joking.

I dont have so much to say,so I kind of have to improvise… to let the feelings I have kind of come out into words, von Trier said. This whole Nazi thing,I dont know where it came from,but you spend a lot of time in Germany,you sometimes want to feel a little free and just talk about this (expletive),you know?

Cast members of Melancholia,including Kirsten Dunst,Charlotte Gainsbourg and John Hurt,sat uncomfortably alongside von Trier as the director made his remarks. At one point,Dunst leaned over and whispered to him,Oh my God,this is terrible.

Dunst said in an interview later that von Trier was embarrassed by the remarks: I think he dug himself in a deep hole today.