Lars von Trier

Lars von Trier (né Trier; born 30 April 1956) is a renowned Danish film director and screenwriter. His career spanning over five decades since the late 1960s has seen him as a major figure of the European film industry with works described as ambitious, provocative and technically innovative. His films explore challenging themes and confront existential, social, political and psychosexual issues. Actors Jens Albinus, Jean-Marc Barr, Udo Kier and Stellan Skarsgård frequently collaborate with him. Von Trier co-created the avant-garde filmmaking movement Dogme 95 and co-founded the Danish film production company Zentropa, the films from which have sold more than 350 million tickets and garnered eight Academy Award nominations. He has occasionally had his works and actions criticized and become the subject of controversies. Born in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, north of Copenhagen, to parents Inger Høst and Ulf Trier, he learned later that his biological father was Fritz Michael Hartmann. He studied film theory at the University of Copenhagen and film direction at the National Film School of Denmark. Von Trier's career has seen numerous industry recognitions with influential films that have sparked conversations and critical appraisals worldwide.