Lars Von Trier, the director of Melancholia was recently banned from the Cannes Film Festival for making comments during a press conference about how he sympathizes with Adolf Hitler and is a Nazi.

The AFP released a statement saying that the board of directors for the festival very films condemns these statements and declares Lars Von Trier persona non grata at the Cannes festival, with immediate effect.

Persona non grata means a person who is not welcome, and is not accepted to a certain place.

Despite his ban, his film Melancholia which stars Kirsten Dunst will remain in the competition.

During the press conference Von Trier said, I really wanted to be a Jew and then I found out I was really a Nazi which also gave me some pleasure. What can I say, I understand Hitler. I think he did his wrong things ... but I understand the man. He's not what you would call a good guy but I understand him, I sympathize with him. I'm not against the Jews; I am of course very much for the Jews. How can I get out of this sentence? Ok, I'm a Nazi.

According to reports, Dunst, as well as reporters in the room seemed quite uncomfortable with his statements.

Von Trier later apologized for his comments.

If I have hurt someone this morning by the words I said at the press conference, I sincerely apologize, he said via email. I am not anti-Semitic or racially prejudiced in any way, nor am I a Nazi.