It turns out simply apologizing for saying that you understand Hitler and saying that you’d like to make a movie called Final Solution isn’t enough to mollify the organizers at Cannes, whose commitment to freedom of expression ends at Nazi jokes, apparently. In the wake of Lars Von Trier’s controversial remarks during yesterday’s Melancholia press conference and his follow-up apology, the festival held a meeting at which they voted to declare him “persona non grata,” effectively banning him from participating. Their statement on the matter:
“The Festival de Cannes provides artists from around the world with an exceptional forum to present their works and defend freedom of expression and creation. The board of directors 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. The Board of Directors firmly condemns these comments and declares Lars von Trier a persona non grata at the Festival de Cannes, with effect immediately."
It’s not yet clear whether this will be a lifetime ban or whether Von Trier will eventually be able to make amends—though if they don’t forgive him, Cannes is going to miss out on Von Trier’s three-hour unpleasant porn about the Catholic Church.