The 77th Cannes Film Festival came to a close on May 25th, with American director Sean Baker’s film “Anora” winning the prestigious Palme d’Or. During the closing ceremony, the festival honored Hollywood legend and director-producer of “Star Wars,” George Lucas, with the Honorary Palme d’Or Award.
Over the course of 11 days of competition, the jury led by director Greta Gerwig awarded the Palme d’Or for Best Film to Sean Baker for “Anora.”
This marks the fifth consecutive year that the American independent film distribution company, Neon, has received the Palme d’Or. Previous winners of this award include “Parasite,” “Titan,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” and “The Evil Downstream.”
“Anora” tells the story of a prostitute in Brooklyn, New York named Anora who meets the son of a Russian billionaire, believing her Cinderella story has come true when she encounters the prince. However, when news of their marriage reaches Russia, the rejection from the boy’s parents shatters Anora’s fairytale. Gerwig, in her award speech, remarked, “This film is incredibly poignant, full of humanity, it made us laugh heartily, and filled us with hope.”
The Grand Jury Prize was awarded to “All We Imagine as Light” directed by Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, while the Jury Prize went to “Emilia Pérez” directed by Jacques Audiard, which also received the Best Actress award, honoring the entire female cast.
Jesse Plemons was crowned Best Actor for his role in “Kinds of Kindness.”
The Best Director award went to Portuguese director Miguel Gomes for “Grand Tour,” and French director Coralie Fargeat won Best Screenplay for “The Substance.”
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” which was highly anticipated to win the Palme d’Or, received a Special Jury Prize. Due to his frequent criticism of the Iranian authorities through his works, Rasoulof was recently sentenced to eight years in prison, asset confiscation, and flogging by the Iranian government, leading him to exile in Europe. The film was shot on a low budget and in secret. Rasoulof expressed in his acceptance speech, “I am glad this film was completed and received this award, but I am also saddened by the hardships my people endure every day.”
Amidst thunderous applause in the Lumière Theater, 80-year-old Lucas received the Honorary Palme d’Or Award for this year’s festival from Francis Ford Coppola, as the closing ceremony began with the classic music of “Star Wars,” showcasing the cinematic legacy of this Hollywood monument.
Of note, “Soil Yard,” directed by Hong Kong director Peter Chan and starring mainland Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, was selected for the non-competitive screening section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. On the evening of the 24th, Zhang Ziyi, along with director Peter Chan, actress Yang Mi, and other cast members, walked the red carpet, receiving special attention from the organizers with a two-minute clear-the-way treatment, showcasing their star power. This marks Zhang Ziyi’s return to the Cannes red carpet after a 5-year absence and her first public appearance following her ex-husband Wang Feng’s announcement of a new relationship.
In addition, in the Chinese-speaking community, the film “God of Dogs,” directed by mainland Chinese director Guan Hu and starring Taiwanese actor Eddie Peng, won the Best Picture award in the “Un Certain Regard” section. Eddie Peng, accompanied by his beloved dog Xiao Xin, took to the stage and delivered a speech in English, expressing his delight: “I am super happy! Thank you for this honor. Being able to participate in Guan Hu’s work as an actor, and even acting opposite a dog, is a dream come true.” He joked about being too happy to know what to say.