arts
Cannes got it wrong this year by awarding Cristian Mungiu’s very moderate Fjord Palme d’Or
Film about a couple on trial for child abuse isn’t a patch on the director’s previous Palme winner, while other disappointing films seemed to grab the jury’s attention
TL;DR
- The Palme d'Or winner, 'Fjord' by Cristian Mungiu, is criticized as moderate and a contrivance, despite featuring Sebastian Stan.
- Andrey Zvyagintsev's 'Minotaur' is praised as a stunning Russian parable and was the reviewer's pick for the Palme d'Or, winning the Grand Prix.
- Pawel Pawlikowski's 'Fatherland' won best director and is considered a highlight for its depiction of Thomas Mann's return to Germany.
- The film 'All of a Sudden' received joint best actress awards, but the reviewer found its praise excessive and the film unconvincing.
- Gay themes were recognized with awards for 'The Black Ball' and 'Coward,' but 'Coward' was questioned for offering the 'shock of the new'.