Romanian director Cristian Mungiu took home the top prize at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his culture-war drama .
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, which centers on an immigrant family living in Norway, received the Palme D’Or for best film during the closing ceremony held at the Grand Théâtre Lumière in Cannes, France. It stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve.
It’s the second Palme D’Or for Mungiu, who received his first in 2007 for the film .
In his acceptance speech, Mungui said that, in making the film, “We took the risk to speak aloud about things that many of us know and many of us share … but don’t dare to say in public.”
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And he urged artists to tackle current issues, however uncomfortable.
“Today, the society is split, it’s divided, it’s radicalized,” he said. “This film is a pledge against any kind of fundamentalism. It’s a pledge for the things we quote very, very often, like tolerance and inclusion and empathy. … These are lovely words, but we need to apply them more often.”
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Actress Barbra Streisand, who received the festival’s third Honorary Palme D’Or, could not attend in person because of a knee injury but thanked everyone in a video message.
“In a crazy, volatile world that seems more fractured every day, it’s reassuring to see the compelling movies at this festival by artists from many countries,” Streisand said. “Film has that magical ability to unite us, opening our hearts and minds.”
Twenty-two films were competing for the prestigious prize, including American films (directed by Ira Sachs) and (James Gray).
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Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared the best actress honor for the talky, philosophical drama . Valentin Campagne and Emmanuel Macchia won best actor Award for , about a World War I love story.
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