Presented by last year’s Best Actor, Song Kang-Ho, Best Actress was a bit of a surprise, going to Merve Dizdar in “About Dry Grasses” directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. John C. Reilly, president of the Un Certain Regard jury, presented the award for Best Screenplay – beginning his presentation with a word, or rather lack of words, to make a statement about the importance of writers who are currently on strike. The screenplay award went to Sakamoto Yuji for “Monster”. And it was accepted by the director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The Jury Prize, presented by actor Orlando Bloom, went to another big crowd favorite: “Fallen Leaves” directed by Aki Kaurismäki. The lead actors talked about the experience of working with the Finnish director. Pete Docter, from Pixar Studios, who will premiere their latest project, “Elemental,” later tonight presented the award for Best Director. That prize went to Trần Anh Hùng for the elegant gastronomy romance, “The Pot au Feau.” Quentin Tarantino then arrived on stage and gave an introduction to low-budget legend Roger Corman, who received a well deserved long standing ovation. The two of them presented the Grand Prix, the Grand Prize, to “The Zone of Interest” directed by Jonathan Glazer.
And finally, it was time for the festival’s biggest award – the Palme’ d’Or. Presented by the incredibly youthful Jane Fonda, the Palme went to “Anatomy of a Fall” directed by Justine Triet. Madame Triet is just the 3rd woman filmmaker to win the award. The first was Jane Campion for “The Piano” in 1993 and the 2nd was Julia Ducournau in 2021 for “Titane“. In her acceptance speech, Justine Triet spoke out against the government of Emmanuel Macron and its current controversies.
That’s it for Cannes 2023. It’s been a wonderful festival, and we can’t to join you here next year out on the Croisette. Until then, au revoir!