Controversial Danish Director Lars Von Trier is negotiating a return to Cannes after being denounced "person non grata" by organisers for his offensive Hitler remarks six years ago.

The 60-year-old auteur hopes to debut his new film The House That Jack Built - starring Uma Thurman and Matt Dillon - at the annual festival next year.

At a recent press conference in Sweden's Dalsland, he told reporters (via The Guardian): "I have talked to the people I know in Cannes and... yeah, maybe [it will debut there]."

Producer Louise Veth also hinted that it had been loosely scheduled to premiere at Cannes.

The dark thriller follows the progression of a serial killer called Jack (Dillon) over a decade-long murder spree in 1970s America. The cast also features The Killing's Sofie Gråbøl and Mad Max: Fury Road's Riley Keough.

The provocative filmmaker previously said it was inspired by "rat king" Donald Trump and his rise to presidency.

"The House That Jack Built celebrates the idea that life is evil and soulless, which is sadly proven by the recent rise of the Homo trumpus - the rat king," he explained to The Guardian.

Back at the festival in 2011 while promoting Melancholia with co-star Kirsten Dunst, Von Trier made remarks to the press about Nazism when asked about his German Roots.

Hair, Blond, Hairstyle, Dress, Carpet, Premiere, Smile, Flooring, Cocktail dress, Long hair, pinterest

"I thought I was a Jew for a long time and was very happy being a Jew," he told reporters. "Then it turned out that I was not a Jew... I found out that I was really a Nazi which also gave me some pleasure.

"What can I say? I understand Hitler. He did some wrong things, absolutely, but I can see him sitting there in his bunker at the end... I sympathise with him, yes, a little bit."

Dunst attempted to restrain him by touching his arm, but he continued: "But come on, I am not for the Second World War, and I am not against Jews.

"I am very much for Jews; well not too much because Israel is a pain in the ass. But still, how can I get out of this sentence... OK I'm a Nazi."

He later apologised for his comments, but went on to retract his apology.

From: Esquire UK
Headshot of Naomi Gordon
Naomi Gordon

Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.