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Danish director Lars von Triers' controversial horror film Antichrist, which the director dedicated to Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky, quickly became the most talked about film at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival following its screening at the Debussy Theatre on Sunday 17^th May.   Signs were not good when scattered laughter was reported to have been heard when ‘Lars von Trier’ and ‘Antichrist’ appeared on the screen, and things deteriorated from that moment on when scenes featuring graphic genital mutilation, a talking fox and a zombie crow were greeted with more laughter and jeers.   While the climax of the film received a smattering of applause, it was quickly drowned out by loud boos from the majority of the audience.

 The movie, which was von Triers’ first since suffering from depression two years earlier, abandoned the director’s back-to-basics dogme ethic for a more stylistic approach.   Responding to the criticism at a press conference the day after the screening, von Triers said, ‘I don't think I have to justify it...I don't think I owe anyone an explanation. I never had a choice -- it's the hand of God, I'm afraid.’  [ADD]