There is some confusion going around the Web this morning about the status of Lars von Trier's Antichrist, the rollicking sex-and-mutilation horror opus that so polarized Cannes Film Festival audiences earlier this year. According to a new interview with Time Magazine, the filmmaker acknowledged he'd be cutting some of the movie's most graphic content (which includes, among other things, explicit sex and bloody ejaculation). Except his U.S. distributor mere months ago said that they intended to keep the film intact, at least in theaters. So what's really happening?
A source at IFC Films confirmed today that Antichrist will, in fact, hit U.S. theaters in its original Cannes version -- the same version currently screening in theaters around Europe. (New York and Los Angeles will get their first looks Oct. 23.) The distributor also plans a VOD rollout around the same time; that version of Antichrist was presumed to face some trims to appease domestic cable carriers, but the insider said those cuts -- if any are required at all -- have not yet been decided.
So don't panic, America! You'll get your onscreen genital abuse one way or another, I promise. And as for the rest of the Time interview? Like that part about von Trier saying, "I don't think I lived up to my best"? Only you can fact-check that.
ยท Antichrist Director Lars von Trier [TIME]