The 68th Cannes Film Festival did not disappoint! The most glamorous and prestigious film festival came to a close on Sunday May 24th with a few of surprises, red carpet scandals and of course astounding films. Here are my favorite highlights from the always unforgettable festival:
Top Awards
The highest prize, the Palme d’Or, went to French filmmaker Jacques Audiard for “Dheepan,” a crime drama about a Sri Lankan Tamil warrior who flees to France. This was a surprising choice for many as a judging panel led by U.S. filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen decided which film would take home the coveted award.
The silver Grand Prix award went to Hungarian film director Laszlo Nemes for his Holocaust drama “Son of Saul.” And the award considered the third prize of the film festival, the Prix Du Jury, was won by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos for his dark romantic comedy “The Lobster.”
Films That Made an Impact
- Todd Haynes’ movie “Carol” about two American women in love during the 1950s was a huge hit with critics and there is already Academy Award buzz for next year’s Oscars.
- “Mad Max: Fury Road” which is coming out 30 years after the last “Mad Max” film is a thrilling, jaw-dropping action film that had the audience wanting more.
- Ethiopia’s first ever entry into the Cannes competition, “Lamb,” by director Yared Zeleke told the story of a young boy seeking enterprising ways to save his fleecy friend.
Did That Really Happen?
Reportedly several women had been turned away from the movie “Carol” for wearing flat shoes instead of high heels. As you can imagine social media had a field day with this one!
During the opening credits of “Inside Out” the notorious overzealous crowd booed Disney and cheered Pixar with one critic even storming out of a screening shouting “F**k you and your slow movie!”
One poor viewer had the audacity to sneeze during a slower paced film and was met by an immediate wall of “shhhhhh.”
68th Cannes Film Festival Full List of Award Winners
FEATURE FILMS
Palme d’Or
DHEEPAN Directed by Jacques AUDIARD
Grand Prix
SAUL FIA (SON OF SAUL) Directed by László NEMES
Award for Best Director
HOU Hsiao-Hsien for NIE YINNIANG (THE ASSASSIN)
Award for Best Screenplay
Michel FRANCO for CHRONIC
Award for Best Actress Ex-aequo
Emmanuelle BERCOT in MON ROI Directed by MAÏWENN
Rooney MARA in CAROL Directed by Todd HAYNES
Award for Best Actor
Vincent LINDON in LA LOI DU MARCHÉ (THE MEASURE OF A MAN) Directed by Stéphane BRIZÉ
Jury Prize
THE LOBSTER Directed by Yorgos LANTHIMOS
UN CERTAIN REGARD
Prize of Un Certain Regard
HRÚTAR (RAMS) Directed by Grímur HAKONARSON
Jury Prize – Un Certain Regard
ZVIZDAN (THE HIGH SUN) Directed by Dalibor MATANIC
Directing Prize of Un Certain Regard
KISHIBE NO TABI (JOURNEY TO THE SHORE) Directed by KUROSAWA Kiyoshi
Un Certain Talent Prize
COMOARA (THE TREASURE) Directed by Corneliu PORUMBOIU
Promizing Future Prize Ex-aequo
NAHID Directed by Ida PANAHANDEH
MASAAN Directed by Neeraj GHAYWAN
CINEFONDATION
1st Prize Cinéfondation
SHARE Directed by Pippa BIANCO
2nd Prize Cinéfondation
LOCAS PERDIDAS (LOST QUEENS) Directed by Ignacio JURICIC MERILLÁN
3rd Prize Cinéfondation Ex-aequo
VICTOR XX Directed by Ian GARRIDO LÓPEZ
THE RETURN OF ERKIN Directed by Maria GUSKOVA
GOLDEN CAMERA
Caméra d’or
LA TIERRA Y LA SOMBRA Directed by César Augusto ACEVEDO
Jury Prize
THE LOBSTER Directed by Yorgos LANTHIMOS
SHORT FILMS
Palme d’Or – Short Film
WAVES ’98 Directed by Ely DAGHER
Want to find out more?
At the Global Media Desk we have been providing video production, photography, and interpreting services around the world for fifteen years. We have seen and done it all! Please contact us with any questions you may have about shooting in a specific country or request a free online quote to see how we can make your projects a complete success.
Follow us on social media for news, advice, info, and tips about international film production, photography, and language services:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theglobalmediadesk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/globalmediadesk
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Globalmediadesk
Instagram: http://instagram.com/globalmediadesk
Tumblr: https://globalmediadesk.tumblr.com/
Photo credit: Day 142: Cannes Film Festival by Cali4beach, on Flickr