With the director’s cut of Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac: Volume I premiering at Berlin Film Festival today, as one might expect, the director and cast gave the press much to discuss. First off, the helmer decided to don a Cannes t-shirt featuring the phrase “persona non grata,” hinting back to his exclusion following his Nazi-related comments from the premiere of Melancholia. (He’s since been invited back.) Deciding to skip the press conference, one of his actors took up the mantle of disturbing the peace.
Continuing his parade of trolling, Shia LaBeouf sat silently before reenacting footballer Eric Cantona‘s words at a 1995 press conference, saying, “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much,” then exiting. When it comes discussion about the actual film, those who stayed put — Christian Slater, Stacy Martin, Stellan Skarsgård, Uma Thurman and producer Louise Vesth — talked about the biggest challenges, long takes, the “slower pace” of the director’s cut and more.
Watch the full press conference at this link beginning around the 18-minute mark, and if you’d like to see LaBeouf’s shenanigans, including his paper bag hat at the premiere, see below.
Nymphomaniac hits theaters and VOD this spring.