DENVER, May 19, 2011 -- Lars von Trier's career as a comedian began and ended this week in Cannes.
The mercurial director behind "Dancer in the Dark" and the new to Cannes "Melancholia" claims he was just being funny when he made some outlandish comments during a press conference to promote his latest film at the French festival.
Director Lars Von Trier attends a press conference for Melancholia, at the 64th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. (Photo: Associated Press)
"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. "He's not what you would call a good guy, but I understand much about him, and I sympathize with him a little bit. But come on, I'm not for the Second World War, and I'm not against Jews. ...
"I am very much for Jews. No, not too much, because Israel is a pain in the [expletive]."
Trier isn't laughing now. The festival officially banned the director from this year's event, declaring him "persona non grata." Many in the film community are rushing to his "joke" defense, including Roger Ebert.
But what if von Trier had said something different? What if he had insulted a minority group, or gays, or Muslims? Would the same people rushing to his defense stay quiet?
We live in a culture where politicians and personalities alike are hung out to dry in the media for saying the wrong thing. Just ask radio star Don Imus who lost his gig after describing a group of female basketball players in ugly terms.
So why should von Trier be held to a different standard?
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