2011 - Lars von Trier: “I understand Hitler”

The Cannes Film Festival has always attracted the stars - but it's also attracted plenty of controversy over the years. Here are some of the biggest scandals to hit the festival.

Always controversial Danish director Lars Von Trier went a step too far in 2011, when - at a press conference (above) with actress Kirsten Dunst to promote their film Melancholia - he said "I am a Nazi" and "I understand Hitler", while also calling Israel "a pain in the ass" and suggesting that his next film might be called "The Final Solution". Dunst and fellow cast member Charlotte Gainsbourg looked on in shock at von Trier for some reason continued talking.

Despite him later clarifying that he was not, in fact, a Nazi, the backlash against the director was swift. The Cannes authorities quickly banned von Trier - a former winner of the Palme d'Or, Cannes most prestigious award -from the festival, declaring him "persona non grata".