The Final Day of Cannes Film Festival 2023
Refresh for latest…: It’s the final day here at the Cannes Film Festival with prizes including the Palme d’Or due to be handed out across the next hour. As we look forward to the results, the anticipation in the air is palpable as festival-goers await the list of laureates .
Star-Studded Red Carpet Arrivals
Among those who graced the red carpet this evening were Elle Fanning , star of Sentimental Value, along with Bi Gan , the director of Resurrection, and his cast. Other notable attendees included Oliver Laxe , director of Sirat, and Sergei Loznitsa , director of Two Prosecutors. Their presence adds an extra layer of celebrity sparkle to the event, elevating the already glamorous atmosphere.
A Bizarre Start to the Day
This final day experienced a bizarre twist when, around 10 AM local time, a mass power outage affected the region. The outage cut off electricity and severely disrupted cell service, causing initial chaos. However, the festival was well-prepared for such odd occurrences. They quickly pivoted to an independent power supply , ensuring that all scheduled events and screenings, including this Closing Ceremony , could proceed without a hitch. By approximately 3:30 PM, the lights flickered back on across the town, leading to an audible sigh of relief from both attendees and organizers.
A Memorable Festival Experience
The past ten days have unfolded beautifully, marked by a lineup of films considered among the strongest in recent years . The films showcased in the Competition received mostly positive reviews, save for a few outliers that left critics divided. Outside of the Competition, the festival maintained its aura of excitement, exemplified by events such as the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning , where Tom Cruise brought his star power to the red carpet.
Long Ovations Point to Favorites
As always, Deadline timed the ovations inside the Palais, with one notable instance where the audience erupted in applause for an astounding 19 minutes . While the length of applause does not guarantee awards, that particular movie, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, is being tipped as a likely contender for the coveted Palme d’Or by Deadline’s critics. Such audience reactions often serve as barometers for the festival’s favorites, further enhancing the competitive atmosphere.
Highly Rated Films and Critical Picks
Other films that have been highlighted by critics include Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, and Mascha Schilinski’s The Sound of Falling, among others. Each of these films has contributed richly to the dialogue around narrative and cinematography at this year’s festival. For a more extensive look at the critics’ picks, please refer to the detailed analysis here.
The Jury’s Role and Expectations
This year, the jury is presided over by the esteemed Juliette Binoche . While predictions are inevitable, the panel’s decisions remain unpredictable. The suspense around who will take home the top awards adds an exciting element to the festival’s concluding day. As we count down the minutes until the awards are announced, it’s clear that emotional investment runs high among both filmmakers and attendees.
Announcing the Winners
WINNERS
Grand Prize
Sentimental Value, dir: Joachim Trier
Best Actress
Nadia Melliti , La Petite Dernière
Best Director
Kleber Mendonça Filho , The Secret Agent
Jury Prize – tie
Sirat, dir: Oliver Laxe
The Sound of Falling, dir: Mascha Schilinski
Best Screenplay
Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne , Young Mothers
Best Actor
Wagner Moura , The Secret Agent
Special Prize
Resurrection, dir: Bi Gan
Camera d’Or
The President’s Cake, dir: Hassan Hadi
Special Mention, Camera d’Or
My Father’s Shadow, dir: Akinola Davies Jr
Short Film Palme d’Or
I’m Glad You’re Dead Now, dir: Tawfeek Barhom
Special Mention, Short Film
Ali, dir: Adnan Al Rajeev