Swedish art satrire, "The Square" wins top prize as Cannes Film Festival
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Director and jury chairman Pedro Almodovar has announced that this year’s top prize at the Cannes Film festival has gone to “The Square”. The Swedish film is a satirical view of the art world and was directed by Ruben Ostlund. It fended off 18 other films for thr prestigious Palme d’Or award. Critics have hailed the movie as “high-wire cinema” that veers between comedy and thriller with moments of pure surrealism.
The French film BMP or Beats per Minute directed by Robin Campillo, which had been favourite to take the top prize had to settle for for second place taking the Grand Prize of the jury. BMP tells the story of an activist group Act Up and the lack of government support for AIDS
The best actor award went to seemingly unimpressed Joaquim Phoenix but perhaps he just hadn’t realised he’d won.
The award was for his portrayal of a psychologically damaged hitman in “ You Were Never Really Here by ar by British director Lynne Ramsay.
One major award, that of best Directorwent to Sofoa Coppola for “The beguiled”.
Not since 1961 has a female filmmaker won Best Director at Cannes. Sofia Coppola just changed that: https://t.co/mu4firC2QF pic.twitter.com/bTDIInisAH
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) May 28, 2017
Other awards included best actress for Diane Kruger and a special award for Nicole Kidman as the 70th Cannes flim festival on the famous Franch Riviera wound up for another year.