Lars Von Trier Is Banned From Cannes For "I'm A Nazi" Comment

Rule of thumb: Hitler jokes are generally a no-go.

At the uppity Cannes film festival going on, controversial director Lars Von Trier made a few jokes about his heritage. Here’s the full rant:

For a long time I thought I was a Jew and I was happy to be a Jew, then I met Susanne Bier and I wasn’t so happy. No, that was a joke, sorry… But it turned out I was not a Jew, and if I had been a Jew I’d have been a second-rate Jew, because there’s kind of a… hierarchy in the Jewish population. But no, I really wanted to be a Jew but then I found out I was really a Nazi. Because my family was German, which also gave me some pleasure. What can I say? I understand Hitler… I think he did some wrong things, yes absolutely. But I can see him sitting in his bunker at the end… [Looking at an audibly reacting Kirsten Dunst] What? There will come a point at the end of this… I will…No, I’m just saying I think I understand the man. He’s not what you would call a “good guy” but I understand much about him. I sympathize with him a little bit. I don’t mean I’m in favor of World War II and I’m not against Jews, not even Susanne Bier. That was also a joke. In fact I’m very much in favor of them. All Jews. Well, Israel is a pain in the ass but… Now how can I get out of this sentence? [laughter] No, I just want to say about the art- I’m very much for… Speer, is it? Albert Speer I liked. He was also maybe one of god’s best children, but he had some talent. It was possible for him to use during… [giving up] Ok. I’m a Nazi.

So let’s review: he sympathizes with Hitler, criticizes Jews and calls himself a Nazi. That’s now how you spread love. That’s also how you get banned from the film festival…which is the case. So what do you think? Is this a funny joke or did the director go too far?