Lars von Trier Insulted Ron Howard's Directing To Provoke Bryce Dallas Howard On "Manderlay" Set

Who is the most eccentric filmmaker? Werner Herzog? Uwe Boll? Tony Kaye?

Working with Lars von Trier has never been described as ordinary—and Bryce Dallas Howard’s experience on the 2005 film Manderlay proves why. In a recent interview with The Times, the actress opened up about her bizarre and confrontational introduction to the Danish auteur.

Howard recalled arriving in Norway for the shoot only to be immediately targeted by von Trier’s provocative directing style. “He started insulting me: ‘Your father’s a terrible filmmaker,’” she said, referring to her father, acclaimed director Ron Howard (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind). When she asked what he was trying to achieve, von Trier responded: “Your angry face. I don’t know what it looks like.”

While it remains unclear if the insult was genuine or merely a manipulation tactic, it’s in line with von Trier’s history of pushing his actors to emotional extremes. But Howard didn’t back down—instead, she escalated. “So I threw a glass of water in his face,” she admitted.

Despite the intensity of the moment, Howard looks back on it with amusement rather than resentment. “That was my introduction to the Lars von Trier experience, but it wasn’t like I went to my room and cried or anything. I was sort of delighted by it.”

Chaotic and unconventional, Lars von Trier’s sets often blur the line between method and madness. Whether it’s through controversial films or shocking on-set stories, his influence remains as polarizing as it is unforgettable. Comment below with your thoughts.

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Source: World Of Reel

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