Lars von Trier is regarded as both a brilliant auteur and an unabashed provocateur.

Born in Copenhagen on April 30, 1956, the Danish director has since his debut at the age of 28 never shied away from innovative and artistic projects.He has often divided critics, but impressed festival juries, with a succession of ambitious and almost always controversial films that have made him one of the most iconoclast and central figures of European cinema today.

History for Mr von Trier, today 55, often seems to repeat itself: Time and again he causes a ruckus and is criticised for crossing the line, at the same time as he is hailed for his audacity.

Last year, also at Cannes, his Antichrist, which was also vying for the Palme d’Or, caused heated debate but allowed leading lady Charlotte Gainsbourg to win the festival’s award for best actress.

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