“This is a very dark dream about guilt and sex and stuff,” said Von Tier, to a hostile news conference after the film’s premiere, which is one of 20 films competing for the Palme d’Or award.

Von Trier, who won a Palme d’Or in Cannes for Dancer In The Dark in 2000, says he shot the film as a form of therapy after having a mental breakdown two years ago, and says it is the most important of his career. Challenged on why he chose to make such a visually violent work, he fired back: “I don’t think I owe anyone an explanation. I made it for myself. “It’s the hand of God,” he added provocatively with a grin. “And I am the best director in the world!”

The film will no doubt raise questions about the violent imagery associated with the simulated clitoral mutilation. According to various reports, critics found the film challenging: gasping, squirming and jeering during a preview.

“It was unbearable. I hated it. It’s misogynistic and there is going to be a scandal,” Victor Saint-Macary, a project developer at Gaumont film studios, said after the premiere on Monday.

Gothic imagery, references to medieval witch-hunts and ghoulish hallucinations of talking animals combine to create a hauntingly Gothic atmosphere throughout the film. Critics gasped, squirmed and jeered during a preview of the movie, but there were both cheers and boos from the Cannes film crowd at the premiere.

Dafoe plays Gainsbourg’s psychotherapist husband in the film – neither character is named – who tries to help her cope with her mourning, but who is dragged down with her as she slides from grief into insanity.

In the film Gainsbourg’s character subjects him to ordeals that include having his genitals smashed with a wooden plank, and his leg hand drilled through and bolted to a millstone.

The 37-year-old Gainsbourg, who masturbates under a tree in one of many explicit scenes, said the film’s emotional content, with a focus on grief, motherhood, cruelty and madness was far tougher than the blood and gore.

“The hardest part wasn’t necessarily the sex and nudity, it was scenes with emotion and suffering that felt the most raw.”

Both she and Dafoe said they were deeply affected by the making of the film, which was shot without any rehearsals.

“It was quite an experience – very intense, not a lot of talking, and something that I won’t live again,” the softly spoken actress said.

Asked why he included the film’s most disturbing scene – the close-up shot of genital mutilation – Von Trier replied: “For me not to show it would be lying. It came in naturally.”

Antichrist’s director, Von Trier insists he is not a misogynist, but that he finds female sexuality “frightening”. He has dedicated the film to late Soviet film director Andrei Tarkovsky.

The trailer for One-Eyed Monster is as professional as they come. I say that as a full-time horror fan. Dare I say that it also brings Criminal Minds to…mind? The character of T.J. (Caleb Mayo) somehow channels Matthew Gray Grubler (Dr Reid, Criminal Minds). Strange, I know. But I call it as I see it.

The premise of the story; Ron makes his final film and meets his maker, for his legendary appendage to go on a killing spree. Guess what? There is a plot and no porn-acting to be seen. This is most likely due to the sex taking a backseat. There are gory special effects and classic horror sequences. Based on the film trailer, it looks as though One-Eyed Monster will reach cult status. I don’t see why horror can’t be entertaining. Besides, why should franchises like Saw and Hostel have all the fun?

Buy One-Eyed Monster via Amazon and visit the official site for information on the cast, photographs, reviews and more.