Lars von Trier: Antichrist director diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
‘Lars is in good spirits and is being treated for his symptoms,’ according to production company Zentropa
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lars von Trier, the Danish director behind art-house films Antichrist, Melancholia and Nyphomaniac, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 66.
Zentropa, who produce Von Trier’s movies, announced the news on Monday (8 August) in a press release.
The company explained that, due to the diagnosis, Von Trier will give very few interviews ahead of the launch of his latest project, season three of his cult 1990s television series The Kingdom.
“Lars is in good spirits and is being treated for his symptoms – and given treatment so he can complete Riget [The Kingdom] Exodus,” the statement read.
The third season of The Kingdom premieres at the Venice Film Festival on 31 August, and arrives 25 years after the last, which aired in 1997. The show follows the staff and patients of a neurosurgical ward in a Copenhagen hospital.
The new season’s cast includes Alexander Skarsgård, Mikael Persbrandt, Lars Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Tuva Novotny and David Dencik.
After the success of the first The Kingdom series, Von Trier made a name for himself as one of the greatest horror directors of all time, with films such as Idioterne, Dogville, Antichrist, Melancholia and Nyphomaniac.
Von Trier was infamously banned for seven years from the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 for declaring at a Melancholia press conference that he “sympathised” with Adolf Hitler.
He returned to the film festival with his 2018 serial killer thriller The House That Jack Built.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments