Hey folks, Harry here... Seems that Steven Spielberg's helmed jury has come down in favor of a story of a young lady coming of age and discovering and exploring her sexual urges, which lead her to exploring that with an older woman. This modern French drama features explicit sex between the two leading ladies, both of whom were acknowledged by Spielberg's jury for their remarkable work in BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR, which took the Palm D'or! Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux are the two actresses that the jury underlined along with the film's director, Abdellatif Kechiche. You really should check out Kechiche's BLACK VENUS and SECRET OF THE GRAIN, both of which are also quite remarkable. Here's a pair of scenes from this new historic film:
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Winning the Grand Prix was the Coen Brothers' upcoming INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, a film that was leading the buzz at Cannes until BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR debuted. Having served on a few juries in my time, the top winner is sometimes not just an expression of quality, but what the jury came together to put their voice behind. INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS has distribution - and getting the Grand Prix will ensure it's international attention, but giving the Palm D'Or to BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR is going to be the exact tonic that a film featuring explicit sex between women, the boost it will need to do well in the Arthouse scene, but also this should grab the attention of the Gay Community which hopefully will come out in support of the film domestically.
Best Actress went to Bérénice Bejo for her work in Iranian Director, Asghar Farhadi's LE PASSE'. The film is about a French Woman, whose Iranian husband leaves her and their two children behind, so he can return to IRAN. Bérénice attempts to start a new relationship and get a divorce, but well... see the movie.
Bruce Dern pulled in the Best Actor award for his work in Alexander Payne's NEBRASKA, which has Payne revisiting the Road trip motif, to a different plot and story. I just love hearing that Bruce Dern picked up a Best Actor award at Cannes, that's outstanding!
Spielberg's Jury decided to give the Best Director award to Amat Escalante, the Mexican director of the violent HELI - This was a particular shock to the director who was absolutely not expecting this. However, setting a man's groin on fire can get you noticed. Giggle. Can't wait to see this film!
JURY PRIZE was awarded to Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Best Screenplay went to Jia Zhang-ke for A TOUCH OF SIN
And the Un Certain Regard award went to L’Image Manquante, a film from Cambodian director, Rithy Panh!
Great eclectic mix!
