Starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, and filmed in Germany by von Trier's longtime cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (Oscar winner for Slumdog Millionaire), Antichrist was greeted at Sunday evening's critics' screening with some appreciative applause and rather more vigorous boos, and gave plenty of ammunition to both sides. ( See TIME's photos from the red carpet at Cannes) So leave it to von Trier to slap a somnolent Cannes festival to life � in fact, to smack it silly.

Follow movie's first title card reads: 'Lars von Trier.' And the second: 'Antichrist.' It's almost the Danish director's job description, for he revels in his carefully honed reputation as the nutcake in the buffet of international cinema.