Just what is Lars Von Trier planning for his next movie?

Well, read this from Collider:

Before today, if I were forced to take a wild guess as to what the subject of filmmaker Lars Von Trier’s next project would be, there is probably like a 60 percent chance that I would have said nymphomania. As it turns out, I would have likely guessed correctly. It’s believed that the controversial writer/director/producer has began researching his next film, currently entitled Nymphomaniac, with a mind to begin shooting the pic during Summer 2012. If you’re at all familiar with Von Trier’s previous work and the compulsive condition sometimes referred to as nymphomania, there’s a great chance you can already fill in the blanks regarding the film’s plot and its inevitably graphic nature. Nevertheless, for more on the project, hit the jump.

Screen Daily spoke with Von Trier’s business partner and producer Peter Aalbæk Jensen who confirmed that Von Trier’s next project will very likely beNymphomaniac. According to Jensen, the film will center around “the erotic life of a woman from the age of zero to the age of 50.” Per the report, the film will be shot in English and the filmmaker is planning two cuts. One will, as you may imagine, push the boundaries of censorship via graphic depictions of intercourse whereas the other will be tailored to play in “more mainstream cinemas.”

The qualifier “more” is definitely important here as I can’t imagine any truly mainstream theater company (at least here in the States) coming within ten feet of a film that follows the sexual exploits of a woman beginning with age zero. Especially not one from Von Trier who seems to cause fear and trembling from censors simply by getting out of bed in the morning.

In terms of the film’s arrangement, it is believed that it will play out over eight chapters while relying heavily on dialogue. Jensen expressed his outlook for the pic saying he expects it to be “a very amusing film, very erotic but very funny also.” While I can’t claim to be a huge fan of Von Trier’s previous output, I will say that I’m usually interested by his work if for no other reason than its uncanny lack of regard for what people (namely, censors) will think of it. Von Trier’s next film, Melancholia, is set to release in the U.S. on November 11th.

-Joey's Two Cents: I remember reading rumors of this a few months back, but apparently it's actually happening...thoughts?

What is to become of Lars von Trier's next film?

Well, it's certainly in jeopardy now, but here's what The Playlist had to say (note that this is pieced together from two articles, one announcing the project and one from last week):

With the not even remotely suggestive title of The Nymphomaniac, it’s described as being “a film about a woman’s erotic birth, a woman who discovers her eroticism.” Von Trier loves putting his female characters in (to put it lightly) unfortunate predicaments, and one could reasonably be led to believe that the same would happen here. The title came down to either the current choice or Dirt in Bedsores, which I get a chuckle from, knowing that there was a debate between the two.

Very little details have been revealed at this point, so I’ll just say that I look forward to seeing what he has planned this time around. While I’m not the biggest fan of his directorial output, I have a curiosity to see what he manages next. Whether this comes from an appreciation of his filmmaking or a morbid sense of curiosity isn’t something I’ve yet figured out. Regardless, this could really end up being something special…or disturbing to an incredible degree. Or both.

We reported back in March that he planned to make The Nymphomaniac his next film, which he himself said is “a film about a woman’s erotic birth, a woman who discovers her eroticism.” Naturally, the title and that description should immediately lead you to the conclusion that things might get a little graphic. Today, he let it be known that it may be even more explicit than we previously imagined.

At the press conference, he said that his next film – as Kirsten Dunst demanded – will be porn. He was quoted as saying “That’s how women are. Really hard core. That’s what I’m writing now.” ThePlaylist reports that actor Stellan Skarsgard seemed to confirm his comments, as he said that von Trier was being sincere. People who have seen Antichrist know that he isn’t scared of showing actual penetration onscreen, but just as that movie used doubles for its infamous shot, I wouldn’t expect any stars to have sex onscreen for his next film.

-Joey's Two Cents: I'm sure he'll still find the money for the film, it just might be harder now...thoughts?

Lars von Tries gets himself bannes from the Cannes Film Festival?

From The Hollywood Reporter:

The Cannes Film Festival has officially declared Lars Von Trier a persona non grata, effective immediately, after the controversial Danish director called himself a Nazi and expressed sympathy for Hitler at a press conference on Wednesday.

Von Trier has since apologized for the remarks, claiming he was provoked by journalists. But on Thursday, the Cannes Festival's board of directors held a meeting and voted to ban von Trier from the Festival.

"The Festival de Cannes provides artists from around the world with an exceptional forum to present their works and defend freedom of expression and creation," the Festival said in a statement. "The board of directors profoundly regrets that this forum has been used by Lars von Trier to express comments that are unacceptable, intolerable, and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the festival. The Board of Directors firmly condemns these comments and declares Lars von Trier a persona non grata at the Festival de Cannes, with effect immediately."

It is unclear if Von Trier's ban will be lifelong or if the director can rehabilitate himself. The Cannes Festival office refused to comment beyond its statement. This is the first time in recent memory that Cannes has blacklisted a director.

It is all the more astounding because von Trier is one of Cannes' favorite auteurs. Melancholia marks his ninth appearance in Cannes Competition. He has won the festival's top prize for Dancer in the Dark in 2000, and has twice taken the runner-up Jury Prize for Europa (1991) and Breaking the Waves (1996).

-Joey's Two Cents: Well, he certainly said something stupid...thoughts?

Martin Scorsese could be revisiting Taxi Driver with Lars von Trier...

...according to Screen Daily:

In a long rumoured collaboration, it has now been officially confirmed that Martin Scorsese is to join forces with Danish maverick Lars Von Trier on a follow-up to The Five Obstructions (2003), Von Trier’s collaboration with Jorgen Leth.

The co-production between Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and von Trier’s Zentropa Real ApS, is looking to start production next year.

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In The Five Obstructions, von Trier challenged Leth to remake his short film The Perfect Human (1967) five times, while providing him with a different set of “obstructions” for each new version. The process forced Leth to rethink the history and characters in his original film.

Von Trier will apply this same method to Scorsese with a new set of obstructions.

Additional details will not be disclosed. However, it is believed that Taxi Driver will be the film that von Trier asks Scorsese to revisit.

Interviewed by Screen earlier this year, von Trier said: “The idea behind this obstructions thing is that you give each other tasks which will move you into an area where you have been reluctant to go yourself. Under protest, you do that and then you enlarge your repertoire.”

Commenting on his initial meeting with Scorsese in Berlin, the Dane said he was surprised by Scorsese’s courtesy. “He turned out to be a gentleman.” What was he expecting? “I don’t know. Maybe you could see him a little bit as a gangster! But he was certainly not - not on the surface anyway.”

The project will be produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff for Sikelia Productions and Carsten Holst and Louise Vesth on behalf of Zentropa Real ApS.

Scorsese’s next feature film, Silence, is set to begin production in early 2012 and his upcoming film Hugo Cabret will be released inNovember 2011. Von Trier’s next film Melancholia will be premiering May 18 in Competition.

-Joey's Two Cents: I'd wrote about this as a rumor a while ago, but it seems like this potentially could be coming together...thoughts?