Godwin's Weasels

[nightdog_barks]

So the film director and all-around bad boy Lars von Trier made an ass of himself at the Cannes Film Festival today. Then he apologized, but as is often the case when people make asses of themselves, he included the key word "if." "If I have hurt someone this morning by the words I said at the press conference, I sincerely apologize." Dude, why even bother? Either say "I'm sorry" and leave it at that, or "Yeah, I said it. And I meant it. WHITE POWER 4EVER!" If is such a weaselly word in an apology. It makes it, y'know, not an apology. Sheesh.

In other news, man tries to take pony on train. :-D

Warm and windy today. The dog hates the wind, so she is unhappily hiding in her den, only coming out to bark and growl ... at the wind. Many things to do today, don't really want to do any of them but it will be good to get out of the house.

Comments

[takes_a_fairy]

Nightdog you are so right. Seriously? Why apologize 'if' no one was hurt or offended? Du-uh!
It's just a way to save face/pride when one knows they've messed up. O.o

[nightdog_barks]

*g*

Apparently von Trier is known for saying various provocative things for the publicity. Of course, that doesn't make it any less stupid and offensive.

[damigella]

I can totally imagine him doing this as a publicity stunt. I actually liked some of his movies, and in my incompetent opinion he should be good enough to do without is.
I see it as a sign of the cold wind of racism blowing across the civilized parts of Europe (Scandinavia, the Netherlands): maybe they're bored of being civilized. Germany so far is immunized, thanks to a very careful school education about their terrible past: Germany is the biggest country in Europe population-wise, and the strongest economy; if they go down the racist alley... shudders (we all know what happens when Germany goes that way). Luckily so far they're holding very well.

[damigella]

Oops, I didn't write that I totally agree with your comments on Lars von Trier. But I'm so upset by the racists getting strong that I don't know what I do anymore.

[nightdog_barks]

I didn't think I had seen any of his films, but looking at the IMDB list I realize I probably did see Zentropa (also known as Europa). If it's the movie I'm thinking of, it was pretty terrifying. I have read that Breaking the Waves is supposed to be very good.

:-)

[damigella]

Breaking the waves is absolutely amazing. You should see it. I should write a breaking-the-waves inspired fic once. It will be at least as much of a splash as the Talk-to-her fic, LOL.
In the end it's also the only one I saw, because I got confused and thought Festen (another mind blowing Danish movie) was also his, while it is of a different Dogma 95 director.

[elynittria]

Breaking the Waves is indeed an amazing film and is, in my opinion, his best work. Dancing in the Dark is also very good. Both films are pretty depressing, though.

I hate the new-fangled formula of using "if" when supposedly apologizing. Everyone seems to do it now: it's never "I'm sorry I said X, which was wrong" but "If anyone was offended when I said X, I'm sorry." Grrr—very weasely!

[nightdog_barks]

Heh, I get the distinct impression that all of von Trier's films are depressing.

You're right, the "if" does seem to be very common these days. Unrelated, but I've also seen "payed" everywhere lately. I don't know how in the world "paid" has come to be forgotten.

[taiga13]

Isn't he the freak that made Dogtown and that other film so obscene that the critics walked out on it?
I am really getting sick of having a sore back. It just spontaneously happened about two weeks ago and it's not getting better.

[nightdog_barks]

Heh, I know he made Dogtown, but I'm not sure which of his other movies was the obscene one. *g*

Ouch, sore backs can be awful! Maybe you pulled a muscle and didn't realize it?