Bryce Dallas Howard Recounts Lars von Trier’s Provocative Tactics on Manderlay Set
June 16, 2025 – Bryce Dallas Howard has revealed a startling incident from the set of the 2005 arthouse drama Manderlay, where director Lars von Trier allegedly insulted her father, Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard, and threw a glass of water in her face to provoke an emotional response. In a recent interview with The Times UK, Howard described the encounter, which occurred in Norway during filming, as her “introduction to the Lars von Trier experience.”
Howard, who replaced Nicole Kidman as Grace Mulligan in the Dogville sequel, recounted arriving on set to face von Trier’s immediate provocation. “He started insulting me: ‘Your father’s a terrible filmmaker,’” she recalled. When she asked, “Lars, what are you trying to see?” he replied, “Your angry face. I don’t know what it looks like.” Von Trier then threw water in her face, prompting Howard to retaliate by throwing water back. “He goes, ‘Why did you do that?’ and got up and left,” she said, noting she was “sort of delighted” rather than upset.
The incident, shared during promotion for her new film Deep Cover, aligns with von Trier’s controversial reputation, marked by allegations like Björk’s 2017 sexual harassment claims, which he denied. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with some calling von Trier a “genius” and others a “psychopath.” Howard, close to her father, emphasized her resilience, shaped by her Hollywood upbringing. She and Ron recently exchanged heartfelt birthday tributes on Instagram, highlighting their bond.