Lars Von Trier apologized to the cast of his movie Melancholia for his controversial Adolf Hitler comments which saw him banned from the Cannes Film Festival - because it stopped them celebrating the success of the film together.

The Danish moviemaker stunned reporters during a press conference at the event in May when he rambled on about his German heritage and declared he could "understand" Hitler.

Von Trier was subsequently banned from the French movie festival, where the film's lead star Kirsten Dunst landed the Best Actress award - and he was saddened to miss out on sharing in her success.

Dunst tells Interview magazine, "He apologized, because it affected us as a group, and we couldn't celebrate together. I know he was embarrassed."

Von Trier has since vowed never to be interviewed or speak publicly again following the scandal.