Von Trier was declared persona non grata by the festival, and would spend the next decade apologizing for or explaining the grim, glib joke. His next film, Melancholia, was less outwardly shocking, but von Trier took it upon himself to produce his most infamous Cannes moment: During the film’s press conference, the auteur jokingly declared himself a Nazi. In 2009, Antichrist shocked a foolishly unsuspecting audience with images of genital mutilation and graphic sex. His high-concept, bare-soundstage Dogville premiered in 2003 and was branded as anti-American in those intense post-9/11 years. The Danish filmmaker has always been hotly debated, both for the content of his films and his button-pushing comments. What else might 2023 hold in terms of shock value, unhinged public statements, and creative falls from grace? The past few decades of controversies might hold a clue. So far in 2023 local authorities have banned protests on the Croisette during the festival (amid ongoing massive labor-reform demonstrations across France), and its chief, Thierry Frémaux, has shrugged off concerns around Johnny Depp–starring festival opener Jeanne du Barry. Another Cannes, another scandal! This year’s edition of the Cannes Film Festival has already seen its share of controversies, but that’s no surprise from the event that brought us selfie bans, high-heel outrage, and a long list of directors who can’t help but say regrettable things directly into microphones.
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