Von Trier banned from Cannes for Nazi quip

CANNES, France, May 19 (UPI) -- Organizers of France's Cannes film festival say Danish director Lars Von Trier is no longer welcome after he joked about his Nazi roots at a press conference.

"The festival's 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 organizers told Deadline in a statement. "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."

Von Trier, whose films include "Breaking the Waves," "Dogville" and "Dancer in the Dark," joked at a news conference Wednesday about how he initially thought he was Jewish, but later learned he was of Germanic ancestry.

"I found out that I was really a Nazi, because my family is German. And that also gave me some pleasure," UsMagazine.com said Von Trier told reporters while promoting his film "Melancholia" at the festival.

"So, I, what can I say? I understand Hitler," he added. "I think he did some wrong things but I can see him sitting in his bunker. I'm saying that I think I understand the man. He is not what we could call a good guy, but yeah, I understand much about him and I sympathize with him... OK, I am a Nazi."