"The Anti-Semite," a controversial comedy from French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, has had its Cannes Marche du Film screening canceled. The Marche du Film -- or Cannes Film Market -- runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival and is used as a platform to show films to international buyers for overseas distribution.
"Anti-Semitism has no place at Cannes, and we welcome the clear statement to that effect from the organizers of the film festival," national director of the Anti-Defamation League Abraham H. Foxman said in a statement. "Dieudonne's grotesque anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial may play well to audiences in Iran, but the French entertainment industry and society has clearly had enough."
"The Anti-Semite" is just the latest controversy from Dieudonne. His performances have reportedly previously included denials of the Holocaust, jokes praising Adolf Hitler and even Nazi salutes. The new film also includes an appearance from Robert Faurisson, a Holocaust denier.
"Our general conditions ban the presence of all films threatening public order or religious convictions, as well as pornographic films or those inciting violence," Cannes Film Market executive director Jerome Paillard said.
This isn't the first time accusations of anti-Semitism have clouded Cannes. Last year, director Lars Von Trier infamously said he understood the plight of Hitler during a press conference for "Melancholia."
"What can I say? I understand Hitler," Von Trier said last year. "I think he did some wrong things, absolutely, but -- I can see him in his bunker in the end."
Following his statements, Von Trier was labeled as "persona non grata" by Cannes Film Festival organizers, which called his comments "unacceptable, intolerable, and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the Festival."
For more on "The Anti-Semite," head over to TheWrap.
[via TheWrap]