Lars von Trier proclaims himself a Nazi, gets kicked out of Cannes.

[Pat]

What he tries to say is not something that can be made explicit in obvious terms. Those are usually the things that need to be said. Too bad if you don't understand, but no one gives a shit. It is good if the artist can make himself understood to also the stupid, but that is not always possible.

[Jacob]

What he tries to say is not something that can be made explicit in obvious terms. Those are usually the things that need to be said. Too bad if you don't understand, but no one gives a shit. It is good if the artist can make himself understood to also the stupid, but that is not always possible.

I'm sorry, I don't quite follow....

Maybe you could rephrase it as an analogy involving Nazis?

[Pat]

Have you not seen Riget? If you've seen it it should be perfectly obvious what he's saying.

[Jacob]

Have you not seen Riget? If you've seen it it should be perfectly obvious what he's saying.

I wasn't confused about von Trier, I was confused about your post

[Pat]

I thought my fault was in being too clear, if anything.

[Pat]

I'd be glad to expand on the point, but it's really said best by Oscar Wilde in his Soul of man under socialism. I'd quote passages to show what I mean but it's all relevant except for the beginning which is about socialism so just pick a spot and go from there.

[viper37]

Just when you think things couldn't get worst, now Iran defends the guy.  He's fucked.

[Martinus]

The funny part is that in that press conference he didn't really say anything that objectionable (certainly not something to declare him a pariah). He essentially said:

1. I thought I was a Jew, but I found out I'm a nazi because I have German ancestors. -> Provocative but not in any way objectionable - just reflective of how for a lot of people Germans = nazis.

2. I understand Hitler -> Again, only because Holocaust is a taboo, he is slammed for saying that. Understanding villains, psychologically, does not mean you are agreeing with them or excusing them.

Essentially, he is a victim of moral panic.

[Slargos]

 

Watch out, Marty. Someone will find out you're an anti-semite. 

[Slargos]

And this attitude is why we don't take Europeans seriously.

Have a complimentary basket of rolleyes.

And here's a complimentary bouquet of dead Jews:

Ah, that's non-pc funny. 

Looks like you suffer from hebephrenia. You'd better go see Jacob for a proper diagnosis, however. 

[Martinus]

Watch out, Marty. Someone will find out you're an anti-semite. 

I don't know. I think as Holocaust survivors die out, we are seeing lately the dismantling of the "Holocaust taboo" - there are a lot more jokes etc. floating around the "mainstream culture" these days. I think it will happen in the next 10 years or so.

Like with the death of God or sexual propriety (as taboos), this of course makes people all excited (in both the positive and the negative way), as we are hardwired to react emotionally to "blasphemy".

[Martinus]

The only sin von Trier commits, really, is not showing the expected reverence to the taboo. Had he phrased what he is saying differently, made a lot of "ohs" and "ahs", hushed his voice and spoke with a grave look on his face, there would be no scandal. So yeah, his sin is blasphemy. And I like blasphemers.

[CountDeMoney]

Watch out, Marty. Someone will find out you're an anti-semite. 

Cocknibbler or not, he can't hide his Polackness.