Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier, known for films like "Melancholia" and "Dancer in the Dark," has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his production company Zentropa said Monday.
The company said it released the information in order to avoid speculation about his health leading up to the premiere of his series "The Kingdom Exodus" at the Venice Film Festival next month. Zentropa said von Trier, 66, was diagnosed at the beginning of the summer.
"Lars is in good spirits and is being treated for his symptoms," producer Louise Vesth said in a statement. "And the work to complete 'The Kingdom Exodus' continues as planned."
In his four decades of filmmaking, von Trier has won some of the most prestigious international film awards, including the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or for "Dancer in the Dark." His films and comments have sometimes stirred up controversy as well. He was famously banned from Cannes for seven years after making comments sympathetic to Nazis during a 2011 press conference. Von Trier returned to the festival in 2018 with the serial killer drama "The House That Jack Built."
"The Kingdom Exodus" is the third, and final, season of a series which first premiered in 1994 in Denmark, but have not been widely available.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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