The 2015 Cannes Film Festival has awarded its top prize, Palme d’Or, to ‘Dheepan,’ directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard.
Audiard’s 100-minute drama recounts the story of Sri Lankan refugees fleeing the civil war in their country for a life in France.
The jury for the main competition at the 68th Cannes Film Festival was headed by American filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen. They were joined by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, American actor Jake Gyllenhaal, French-Canadian actor and filmmaker Xavier Dolan, French actress and director Sophie Marceau, Spanish actress Rossy de Palma, Malian musician Rokia Traore and British actress Sienna Miller.
“To receive a prize from the Coen brothers is something pretty exceptional. I’m very touched. I’m thinking of my father,” said Audiard upon receiving the award.
The festival’s sidebar awards were also announced during the closing ceremony of the event on May 24. ‘Hrutar,’ directed by Icelandic filmmaker Grimur Hakonarson, won the Prize of Un Certain Regard section, while the first Cinefondation Prize went to ‘Share’ by American director Pippa Bianco.
‘Waves,’ by Lebanese filmmaker Ely Dagher, was granted this year’s Short Film Palme d'Or prize.
The full list of winners in the 68th Cannes Film Festival’s main competition section is as follows:
Palme D'Or
‘Dheepan’ by Jacques Audiard
Grand Prix
‘Son of Saul’ by Laszlo Nemes
Jury Prize
‘The Lobster’ by Yorgos Lanthimos
Best Director
Hou Hsiao-hsien for ‘Assassin’
Best Actor
Vincent Lindon for ‘Measure of Man’
Best Actress
Rooney Mara for ‘Mon Roi’
Emmanuelle Bercot for ‘Carol’
Best Screenplay
Michel Franco for ‘Chronic’
Camera d'Or for Best Debut Feature
‘La Tierra Y la Sombra’ by Cesar Augusto Acevdeo
The 2015 Cannes Film Festival was held from May 13 to 24 in France.
TE/HJL