If there was any question that the Cannes authorities weren't taking Lars Von Trier's recent indiscretions seriously, they were dispelled by an extraordinary email from the board of directors that arrived in journalists' inboxes yesterday afternoon.

As you should be aware, when answering a question about his German roots, Von Trier, whose film Melancholiais playing in competition, said he was "a Nazi" and expressed some sympathy for Hitler.

It was clearly a joke, albeit one in very poor taste. Uncharacteristically, he subsequently apologised. "I am not anti-Semitic or racially prejudiced in any way, nor am I a Nazi," he said. Well, that doesn't seem to have been enough for the board, whose statement read that it "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."

Persona non grata? The implication is that they have away taken his badge and pointed him towards the railway station. A spokesperson did, however, confirm that Melancholiais still eligible for the Palme d'Or. Yeah, like that's going to happen now.