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Lars Von Trier Makes Silence Pledge

Filmmaker Lars Von Trier has vowed to stop speaking in public after being investigated by police over comments he made about Adolf Hitler at the Cannes Film Festival.

Lars Von Trier has vowed to give up speaking in public.

The 'Melancholia' director has made the pledge after being probed by French police following remarks he made about Adolf Hitler at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

He said in a statement: "Today (05.10.11) at 2 pm I was questioned by the Police of North Zealand in connection with charges made by the prosecution of Grasse in France from August 2011 regarding a possible violation of prohibition in French law against justification of war crimes.

"The investigation covers comments made during the press conference in Cannes in May 2011. Due to these serious accusations I have realised that I do not possess the skills to express myself unequivocally and I have therefore decided from this day forth to refrain from all public statements and interviews."

In May, the Danish filmmaker was expelled from the prestigious festival after saying he sympathised with the dictator.

He said in a press conference: "I understand Hitler, but I think he did some wrong things, yes absolutely, but I can see him sitting in his bunker.

"I think I understand the man. He's not what you would call a good guy, but I understand much about him and I sympathise with him."

In a statement afterwards organisers of the festival declared the film-maker "persona non grata".