According to his own statements, the Danish director from Trier has been suffering from panic attacks and depression for years. The treatment limits him sometimes considerably. Doctors are now also diagnosing Parkinson's in the 66-year-old.
Lars von Trier has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This was reported by the Danish broadcaster DR, citing Zentropa, the Danish filmmaker's production company. As a result, the 66-year-old director ("Idiots", "Antichrist", "Melancholia") is in good spirits despite the diagnosis. He is being treated for the symptoms but can continue working on the mini-horror series "Riget Exodus" as planned. He will only give limited interviews until the premiere later this year, according to the report.
Von Trier, who owes his surname to the fact that his foster father's ancestors once emigrated from Trier to Denmark, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2000 for "Dancer in the Dark" starring the Icelandic musician Björk. His international breakthrough came in 1996 with the award-winning drama "Breaking the Waves".
The slowly progressing Parkinson's disease causes cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine to die. This hinders the control of body movements and causes, among other things, the typical tremors of those affected.
Lars von Trier's health has always been an issue in recent years. In 2018, for example, he told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" that he was constantly tired and could hardly stay awake. Von Trier said his life had been marked by fear, panic attacks and depression since childhood. His psychotropic drugs, he said at the time, were now in such high doses that his hands were constantly shaking, which made it difficult for him to use his mobile phone.
