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One Little Indian boss backs up Björk’s harassment claims against Lars Von Trier

By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 26 October 2017

One Little Indian founder Derek Birkett has issued a statement supporting Björk, after she recently detailed claims of sexual harassment by film director Lars Von Trier.

As previously reported, Björk worked with Von Trier on 2000 film ‘Dancer In The Dark’, but fell out so badly with the filmmaker that she vowed never to make another movie. Stories were then circulated about her being “difficult” on set, which she says were the result of her rejecting the director’s advances.

However, speaking to Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, Von Trier and his producer Peter Aalbaek Jensen both denied the claims made against the director. Jensen went so far as to say that he and Von Trier “were the victims”, claiming that “she dictated everything” and put the whole production in jeopardy with her demands.

In a new statement, the founder of Björk’s record label, One Little Indian, Derek Birkett says: “I have worked with Björk for over 30 years and have never made a single statement or interview regarding our work together. This time is different. I have read the lies written by Lars and his producer Peter about Björk – and feel compelled to speak out and put the record straight. Over the last 30 years the ‘Dancer In The Dark’ project is the one and only time she has fallen out with a collaborator”.

He continues: “This was a result of the director’s on going, disrespectful verbal and physical abuse which continued after both Björk and myself demanded that he stop behaving this way. Björk completed the film out of respect for the cast and everyone involved. I feel compelled to publicly speak out in fierce support of Björk in regards to her terrible experiences working with Lars Von Trier, and I back what she has said 110%”.