Björk Record Label One Little Indian Records Speaks Out on Abuse Allegations Regarding Lars Von Trier

Ever since news of Harvey Weinstein’s inappropriate behavior surfaced in the media, many other prominent actresses, singers, models and celebrities have been coming forward with their own stories of sexual harassment. A little over a week ago, Bjork came forward to share her own story of sexual harassment. The singer/actress shared how a former director had made unwanted advances on her. She did not specify who the director was, but made note that he was Danish.

Since Bjork has not had that many acting gigs, fans have been able to put two and two together, and concluded that she must ave been referring to Lars Von Trier, whom she worked with for her most prominent role in Dancer in the Dark . The Dogma 95 director shared his reaction to the accusation with the Danish publication, Jylllands-Posten. The Guardian translated his response as, “That was not the case. But that we were definitely not friends, that’s a fact.” Von Trier’s longtime production collaborator (who also worked on Dancer in the Dark), Peter Aalbaek, went on to argue that they, not Bjork, “were the victims.”

In response to Von Trier and Aalbaek statements, Bjork’s collaborator at One Little Indian Records, Derek Birkett, issued his own thoughts on the situation. He notes that he has been working with Bjork for thirty years now. He labels Von Trier’s remarks as lies, and shares his account of the physical and verbal abuse that happened on set.

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.

This was a result of the directors ongoing, 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%.

– Derek Birkett