Lars von Trier says he faces charges over Hitler remarks, takes vow of silence

(CBS) Saying he faces charges over comments he made about Hitler at the Cannes Film Festival, Danish director Lars von Trier said Wednesday he would not make any more public statements or give interviews.

Pictures: Cannes Film Festival

According to reports in The Hollywood Reporter and elsewhere, the controversial 55-year-old director issued a statement saying police questioned him in Denmark on Wednesday in connection with charges made by the prosecution in France.

The vow of silence comes as von Trier is promoting his latest movie "Melancholia," which has been praised by critics. Kirsten Dunst, lead actress in this end-of-the-world film, won the best actress prize at Cannes, where von Trier had previously won the top Palme d'Or award.

This year, von Trier was declared persona non grata at Cannes after he called himself a Nazi and Hitler sympathizer.

Von Trier apologized, but the ban remained. He later took back his apology.

His remarks had angered several Jewish groups, which called on France to take official action under its laws banning "hate speech."

Von Trier's other films include "Breaking the Waves," "Dancer in the Dark" and "Antichrist."