Although it got a mixed reaction when it premiered to a packed audience, it didn’t dissuade the governing panel (which included Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Olivier Assayas and Johnnie To) from selecting Terrence Malick’s The Tree Of Life as winner of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Malick, a noted recluse when it comes to public functions, did not attend the award ceremony, so the award was picked up by producers Bill Pohlad and Dede Gardner. Fox Searchlight will open the film in the U.S. on May 27th.
Other notable award recipients include Mise en Scene (Best Director) winner Nicolas Winding Refn for his thriller Drive (watch a clip), Jean Dujardin for Best Actor for The Artist (watch the trailer), and Kirsten Dunst for Best Actress for Melancholia.
Complete list of winners:
Official Competition
Palme d’Or: The Tree Of Life (dir: Terrence Malick)
Grand Prix (Runner-up to main award): (tie) Kid With A Bike (dir: Dardenne brothers), Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Nuri Bilge Ceylan)
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Mise en Scene (Best Director): Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive)
Best Actress: Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia)
Prix du Scenario (Screenplay): Joseph Cedar, Footnote (Israel)
Prix Du Jury: Poliss (dir: Maiwenn)
Also:
Palme d’Or Court Metrage: Cross Country (dir: Maryna Vroda)
Camera d’Or (Best First Film): Las Acasias (dir: Pablo Giorgelli)
