In the months since, he has done little to dampen criticism. Today he said he was questioned by Danish police over possible prosecution in France for violating its law on justifying war crimes with the comments at Cannes.
"Due to these serious accusations I have realised that I do not possess the skills to express myself unequivocally," he said. "I have therefore decided from this day forth to refrain from all public statements and interviews."
Elan Steinberg, vice president of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants, said Mr Von Trier's behaviour was "more childish than criminal".
He added: "He is guilty of bad taste in the quest for cheap self-promotion and for this he should be condemned and exposed. His lack of concern for the traumatized victims of Nazi brutality is disgraceful."
