Justine Triet slams French President Macron as she becomes third woman to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes
French filmmaker Justine Triet appealed to President Emmanuel Macron during her acceptance speech for the prestigious Palme d’Or, which is awarded to the best film at Cannes.
The 44-year-old won the award for her court drama anatomy of a fall, With Sandra Hull starring as a writer trying to prove her innocence in the death of her husband, she is only the third director to receive the honor.
Julia Ducournau who won titanium in 2021, and Jane Campion, who won The piano in 1993 are the only other women to have won the Palme d’Or. Triet’s film prevailed against strong competition from renowned directors such as Wes Anderson and Todd Haynes.
Veteran actress Jane Fonda presented the award to Triet, who directed the film back in 2013 Age of Panic and 2019 sibyl.
In a somewhat controversial speech, Triet protested against the French government’s austerity programs, which included significant cuts in cultural programs and pension reforms.
Triet said the French system of “cultural exception… without which I wouldn’t be here today” is under threat. The Hollywood Reporter reports.
“This prize is dedicated to all young directors: all those who don’t manage to make films today. We have to give them space, the space I took 15 years ago in a less hostile world where it was still possible to make mistakes and start over.”
She also criticized Macron, who sparked nationwide protests after signing a controversial bill raising the retirement age in France from 62 to 64.
Her speech was accompanied by a brief statement by French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak, who said she was “stunned” by Triet’s comments.
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“Without our French film financing model, which enables a diversity that is unique in the world, this film would not have seen the light of day. Let’s not forget that,” she tweeted.
(Getty Images)
At this year’s festival, the Grand Prix also went to Jonathan Glazer The Zone of Interestan adaptation of the late author Martin Amis’ novel of the same name about a German family living next to Auschwitz.
Meanwhile, the Jury Prize went to Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki fallen leaves, a deadpan love story about a romance that blossoms in a loveless everyday world.
Japanese actor Koji Yakusho plays a middle-aged man from Tokyo who cleans toilets in Wim Wenders’ film. perfect dayswon the award for Best Actor.
Some of the festival’s biggest premieres were for films that didn’t compete for the Palme d’Or, including Martin Scorsese’s debut of his Osage murder epic Killer of the Flower Moon Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro.
Harrison Ford received the Palme d’Or of Honor ahead of the world premiere of his new film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
The veteran US star, 80, said he was “deeply moved and humbled” by the award.
Johnny Depp also returned to the limelight on the opening day of the film festival with his new historical drama Jeanne DuBarry Premiered.
The project is his first major on-screen appearance since winning his high-profile defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard last year.
Additional Press Association coverage
