Photo: Siebbi / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Lars von Trier, born on April 30, 1956 in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, is a film director, screenwriter and film producer. As of 2026, Lars von Trier is 70 years old. Listed accolades include Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog (1997), Konrad Wolf Prize (2004), Danish Dramatics' Honorary Award (2006) and 4 more. Credited works include Breaking the Waves, Europa and The Kingdom.
My Take
Lars von Trier is the kind of filmmaker I argue with and never forget. Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, and Dogville do not entertain so much as ambush you, leaving you hollowed out and thinking for days. What sets him apart is a deliberate refusal to comfort the audience; he stares at human cruelty and frailty without flinching, and twice took the European Film Award to prove the craft is real. He is genuinely divisive, and he wants it that way. I respect the nerve it takes to keep playing the villain rather than retreating to safer, easier ground.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Lars von Trier
- Name (Japanese)
- ラース・フォン・トリアー
- Reading
- らーす・ふぉん・とりあー
- Born
- April 30, 1956 (age 70)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Monkey
- Origin
- Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Occupation
- film director / screenwriter / film producer / cinematographer / director
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1997 Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
- 2004 Konrad Wolf Prize
- 2006 Danish Dramatics' Honorary Award
- 1996 Allen Award
- 2018 Sonning Prize
- 1996 European Film Award for Best Film
- 1996 European Film Academy Critics Award
- 2000 European Film Award for Best Film
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Breaking the Waves | — | |
| Notable work | Europa | — | |
| Notable work | The Kingdom | — | |
| Notable work | Dancer in the Dark | — | |
| Notable work | Dogville | — | |
| Notable work | Manderlay | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-11
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Lars von Trier born?
Born April 30, 1956 (age 70).
Where is Lars von Trier from?
Lars von Trier is from Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
What does Lars von Trier do?
Lars von Trier works as film director, screenwriter, film producer, cinematographer, director.
What is Lars von Trier known for?
Notable works include Breaking the Waves, Europa, The Kingdom.
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