Cannes Canned
Right, I’m off. Make sure you head back later to the film site to see Peter Bradshaw’s full analysis of the winners. If only all awards shows were this gloriously short.
The stars of I, Daniel Blake react on Twitter here. The film doesn’t have a UK release date confirmed yet but it’s likely to be pushed around awards time.
Omg we've won the Palme D'or our film
— Dave Johns (@davejohnscomic) May 22, 2016
I Daniel Blake ..I'm blow away
Palme 'dor tears flowing across the sea mate. @SixteenFilms love you all, greatest team in the world!!!
— Hayley Squires (@hayleySsquires) May 22, 2016
You can also tune in to the press conference here. It’s worth it for Donald Sutherland alone:
American Honey and I, Daniel Blake are two British films winning major prizes tonight and here’s the official reply from Ben Roberts, director of the BFI Film Fund:
“What a moment for British cinema, and for two important and humane films with so much to say. Bravo to Ken and to Andrea and their collaborators - including the unstoppable Robbie Ryan who shot both films. This is cinema from the heart, and we’re grateful that we have an industry that can support such personal, powerful film-making.”
George Miller has been asked about the omission of the favourite Toni Erdmann.
“There are 21 films in competition. That’s 21 directors and 21 writers. There are many many variables. There are only eight prizes. So there are probably a number of films which might feel like they should have been in the awards. Even though it was a wonderful experience, it was also incredibly rigorous and vigorous. Nothing was left unsaid.”
The jury have been asked about what the experience of serving has been like:
“I think honestly, it was a very fantastic virtue we all had. I want to say bloody but it wasn’t bloody. It was passionate” - Mads Mikkelsen
“It was passion fuelled by exquisite consideration for everyone in the room. It was very beautiful. It was an association of people that you want to see again and again for the rest of your life. It was filled with love” - Donald Sutherland
Updated
Last year Son of Saul won the Grand Prix and the film’s director László Nemes served on the jury this time around. He was asked why he chose Xavier Dolan’s critically attacked film It’s Only the End of the World to win this year’s Grand Prix.
“I was very thrilled to see this film,” he said. “I was very moved by it and it was a great experience. We all felt that it was a very moving journey and it had tremendous ambitious and there were many risks taken”
Donald Sutherland says he got so wet on stage that he had to change his clothes and is now wearing a scarf on his head. It’s quite an odd start.
Okay so the jury press conference is about to begin, We’ll hear from George Miller, Kirsten Dunst, Mads Mikkelsen, Vanessa Paradis and their fellow jury members.
Given the unpredictable choices, there should be some interesting answers ...
“It’s a complete surprise. The audience when we showed the film was very generous and we left with a good feeling but we then went back to real life. We are really stunned” - Ken Loach, just now
Andrea Arnold is very happy and has been twerking, she just revealed. She also said she was in her friend’s garden up until 1pm today but was told she had to come to Cannes as she was a winner.
She got changed in the bathroom at the Palais. Here’s Peter Bradshaw’s not entirely convinced review of American Honey:
A mixture of emotions
That’s now two Palme d’Ors for Ken Loach after he won in 2006 for The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Directors with more than one Palme d’Or also include Michael Haneke, Billie August, the Dardenne brothers and Francis Ford Coppola.
We’ll have news from the winners’ press conferences very soon.
We’ve got full news of who won what right here:
Ken Loach: “When there is despair, the people from the far right take advantage. We must say that another world is possible and necessary”
Last year saw some Oscar nominees get their campaign started at the festival with Carol, Amy and Son of Saul all premiering and then going on to awards success.
This year, Loving, Jeff Nichols’ powerful drama about interracial marriage in 50s America seems like the most obvious Oscar movie. But it’s also likely that Isabelle Huppert’s commanding turn in Elle could make her a contender for best actress. Plus the critical response to German comedy Toni Erdmann could make it a likely nominee for best foreign language film.
I’m not sure if any of the winners are in with a chance but The Salesman’s success could suggest that it’s a best foreign language nominee too.
People is mad about the Toni Erdmann snub:
Biggest surprise? Critically acclaimed German comedy Toni Erdmann didn't win anything. #cannes
— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) May 22, 2016
That was the beauty and complexity of Toni Erdmann. A comedy that transcended language. The jury missed out on a great opportunity.
— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) May 22, 2016
So, Toni Erdmann registers the highest aggregate score *ever* on the @Screendaily grid, and wins not a single sausage. Mad #Cannes
— Jamie Graham (@jamie_graham9) May 22, 2016
During a press conference earlier this week, Loach said he likes the idea of the EU but it’s “not doing anything for us at the moment”. How about now huh?
Here’s a victorious Ken Loach!
The signs were there for a win by Loach (he turned up LIKE I SAID EARLIER) and the press screening ended with tears and cheers (personally, I felt it played like a cross between a PSA and V for Vendetta but no one cares what I think right now). Most have supported it and it’s covering a very real issue unlike some of the more fantastical films this festival.
He’s on stage still saying he wants the film to give a message of hope.
Here’s Peter Bradshaw’s review!
PALME D'OR
Mel Gibson has presented the award to Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake! It’s a furious film about the difficulties faced by those seeking benefits in the UK. Quite surprised personally as I felt it was a blunt and clumsy polemic but everyone else seems happy so yay!
PRETTY PEOPLE IN DRESSES
The decision to reward Dolan is going down pretty badly on Twitter:
Worth noting: It's Only The End of the World couldn't even win the Queer Palm award. And it's a gay movie w/ Marion Cotillard in it. #Cannes
— Gregory Ellwood (@TheGregoryE) May 22, 2016
IT'S ALMOST THE END OF THE WORLD
— Dave Calhoun (@davecalhoun) May 22, 2016
Giving Xavier Dolan the Grand Prix is the worst Cannes jury decision in a very, very long time.
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) May 22, 2016
He’s in tears on stage but there is zero sympathy in here ...
GRAND PRIX
Xavier Dolan!!!! After a week of berating the critics who hated his new film It’s Only the End of the World, he’s now smugly on top after winning the Grand Prix. The film was largely loathed and the press room is OUTRAGED.
Updated
I keep almost writing Personal Shooper rather than Personal Shopper and imagine what a film that would be instead.
BEST DIRECTOR
Okay HUH? Olivier Assayas has won for his hugely divisive Kristen Stewart paranormal thriller Personal Shopper which was booed. There were boos in the press room when it was announced. He has also shared the prize with Cristian Mungui for his drama Graduation. Very rare for a share in this category.
Updated
BEST SCREENPLAY
Woah so they really liked The Salesman. The film, which was met with mixed reviews on Friday, has won best screenplay for Asghar Farhadi.
BEST ACTRESS
Okay this is another shock. Jaclyn Jose has won for her role in Ma Rosa (I TOLD YOU SHE WAS HERE FOR A REASON EARLIER REMEMBER) despite the film receiving little buzz. She’s beat Isabelle Huppert, Kristen Stewart and Ruth Negga. Big shock.
Here’s Peter Bradshaw’s three star review:
JURY PRIZE
Woah they are coming fast. Andrea Arnold’s American Honey has picked up the jury prize. It’s a divisive film (it received cheers and boos) but a great result that it got something at least.
Updated
BEST ACTOR
Bit of a surprise here but Shahab Hosseini has won for his role in The Salesman, from A Separation director Asghar Farhadi. It’s a film that hasn’t received incredible reviews. Here’s Peter Bradshaw’s verdict:
There’s an interlude from a bunch of musicians, which seems to be a combination of every possible genre ever, much to the displeasure of jury member Donald Sutherland who looks like he’s about to hand them all weapons and make them fight to the death in a big dome.
Ohh they’re playing songs from Palme d’Or winners? Maybe? I think I heard Pulp Fiction in there. I’m officially done with it but the bleeding has stopped so there is that.
Lots of speculation from critics on Twitter on why Xavier Dolan is here and what he might be winning.
From someone who knows French:
Camera d'Or winner Houda Benyamina: "Cannes is ours. We are here!" #Cannes2016
— Nigel M. Smith (@nigelmfs) May 22, 2016
Updated
Okay so now it’s the honorary Palme d’Or which is going to Jean-Pierre Léaud. There’s a montage of his finest moments, including his work with Godard and role in Last Tango in Paris.
I also don’t mean to worry you but I have just accidentally cut myself and I’m bleeding over my laptop.
Updated
Kirsten Dunst arrived on stage to Playground Love from The Virgin Suicides. What a party :(
Beyamina gave a loooooooooong speech. In French but I know she said something about thank you.
Day six of the Houda Benyamina acceptance speech #Cannes2016
— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) May 22, 2016
The awards have begun
Okay so we’re off! French film Divines (director Houda Beyamina) has won the Camera d’Or which is for best first film. It’s a mix of Girlhood and La Haine and is a great start to the night for female directors.
The ceremony is being hosted tonight by Laurent Lafitte who stars in one of the night’s possible winners, Paul Verhoeven’s shocking new thriller Elle. He also gained some international notoriety when he made a rape joke at Woody Allen’s expense during the opening ceremony.
He has made an enemy out of Blake Lively (who also found herself in trouble after a controversial Instagram post last week) who was not impressed.
Check out Xan Brooks’ five star review of Elle here:
A commenter is also mad that I compared Dheepan to Scent of a Woman but my rationale actually makes a lot of sense and also I have barely slept for two weeks and I’m very emotional.
Fascinating, unspoken competition in the press room to see which journalist can be the most obnoxiously loud and least aware of the personal space of others. All the major contenders are sitting next to me! Exciting huh?
Jury member Kirsten Dunst on the red carpet here. Her Midnight Special director Jeff Nichols’ new drama Loving is in competition which could make for a few awkward texts if it gets nothing.
A full list of winners will be updated here if you’re really into this:
One film which is unlikely to be involved in tonight’s awards is Sean Penn’s humanitarian romance The Last Face. Every year there’s one major stinker. Last year Gus van Sant’s ponderous drama The Sea of Trees was given the harshest reception and still awaits release in most parts of the world.
When will audiences get to endure Penn’s disaster? For now, here’s what you might be missing out on:
See, I told you he was happy
So weirdly no one from Toni Erdmann has been seen on the red carpet although the film is the hot favourite to win the big prize. There’s also no sign of American Honey’s Andrea Arnold or actress favourites Sonia Braga and Ruth Negga.
The jury is here! George Miller, whose reboot Mad Max: Fury Road showed out of competition last year, is heading it up. He called the deliberation “rigorous and happy”.
Mads Mikkelsen said they have made some “beautiful choices” and the discussion on who should win was “passionate” and “difficult”.
Hmmmm
'American Honey' actress Sasha Lane is at the Palais but curiously, not Andrea Arnold. #Cannes2016 #AmericanHoney
— AwardsWatch (@awards_watch) May 22, 2016
Last night also saw the Un Certain Regard awards and the main prize went to the Finnish boxing drama The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki.
You can read more about the results here:
Mel Gibson is here! He’s giving the Palme d’Or out this year and is in high spirits. He’s looking forward to hanging out with his Mad Max director George Miller, who heads up this year’s main jury.
He’s probably so damn happy because his film Blood Father has premiered to great reviews this weekend, including this one from Nigel Smith:
Her’s Xavier Dolan on the red carpet who now sees film critics as his sworn enemies.
On discussing one of his bad reviews: “This is someone who eats doughnuts at their desk and gives 4 1/2 stars to ‘Fast and the Furious’ and is bitter they’re not a filmmaker.”
Ken Loach is here! He’s happy! The “friendly reception” has pleased him but he finds the glamour odd given the poverty involved in his film.
He just said he might make another film but his back is “not good”.
His film I, Daniel Blake has received positive reviews, including this rave from Peter Bradshaw:
If we were being cynical then we could take a look at the people who have arrived already and suggest they might have stuck around because, cough, they know they’ve won something.
The director and stars of Ma Rosa (pictured above) as well as cast and crew from Personal Shopper, I, Daniel Blake, Graduation and It’s Only the End of the World have all turned up so far.
Updated
Just a reminder of who won last year which showed us that no one knows anything. No one could have predicted that Jacques Audiard’s flawed thriller Dheepan would come out on top and some even suggested the choice was more to reward his body of work. It was his Scent of a Woman essentially.
If we followed that logic this year then we could see Pedro Almodovar’s mother/daughter melodrama Julieta. He’s won awards at Cannes before but not the Palme d’Or despite having numerous films in competition. Like Dheepan, Julieta is far from Almodovar’s best work (Peter Bradshaw said it was “intriguing, minor”). Could he pull an upset tonight?
OOH
Hearing some terrifying Cannes prize rumours.
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) May 22, 2016
Xavier Dolan has now shown up and is signing many autographs. He’s had a rather rough festival with his new film It’s Only the End of the World receiving a fair amount of bile from critics. It’s a star-studded drama about a family falling apart with Marion Cotillard and Vincent Cassel.
On the red carpet now, he said the reception to the film made him worry he had got it wrong but the reaction will change from one screening to the next.
He spoke about his upset over the bad reviews with Nigel Smith here:
Updated
This year’s honorary Palme d’Or will be going to Jean-Pierre Léaud, who has just shown up on the red carpet. He made his screen debut in The 400 Blows when he was just 14. He also starred in Pierrot Le Fou and Last Tango in Paris.
You can watch his impressive audition for The 400 Blows here:
Every year there are some unofficial awards handed out before the big event. I already mentioned that German comedy Toni Erdmann won the Fipresci critics prize but the past few days has also seen bus driver drama Paterscon scoop the Palme dog for its deceased star Nellie who played the extremely expressionate English bulldog Marvin.
Director Jim Jarmusch said the following in response: “She was an incredible performer. We looked at a lot of tape, and when we saw her, we knew she was the one. She had a unique voice and was able to express herself.”
Last night also saw the Queer Palm handed out to the best LGBT film of the festival. Last year’s award was given to Carol but this time around, the winner was a far smaller film: documentary The Lives of Thérèse about French feminist activist Thérèse Clerc.
If you’d like to see Peter Bradshaw’s predictions and his thoughts on the festival in general then here you go. His money’s on Mungiu:
If you want to watch along with us without the combined body odour of the press room here in Cannes then here’s a link to the English language version of the awards. It all kicks off around 615ish UK time.
Updated
The red carpet has begun and Personal Shopper director Olivier Assayas has arrived. He has described the experience of this year’s festival as “electric” although his Kristen Stewart thriller was booed this week by a rather divided audience. It did however receive some strong reviews.
Here’s Peter Bradshaw’s five star review:
Get your palmes in the air - the liveblog begins
After two weeks of rosé, yachts and premieres, this year’s Cannes film festival has come to a close. Strangely, there’s no closing film this year but instead, we have a repeat of the Palme d’Or winning film after the awards which will be kicking off in around 90 minutes or so. It’s been an unusually strong set which makes predictions rather tough but here’s a look at what films are in with a decent chance.
Probably the most universally loved film of the festival, three-hour German comedy Toni Erdmann came as something of a surprise given its strange logline: “a prank-playing dad tries to enliven the life of his serious workaholic daughter”. But it’s swanned off with glowing reviews. Our very own Peter Bradshaw called it “hilarious” and last night, it picked up the Fipresci award, handed out by international critics to their favourite film of the festival. It’s directed by Maren Ade and if the film wins the main prize, it will be only the second film from a female film-maker to win.
Another major contender from a female film-maker is Andrea Arnold’s divisive drama American Honey. The sprawling look at a teenage girl going across America to sell magazines (it’s almost three hours long) has picked up raves but also some haven’t taken to its brash yet aimless style (it was booed this week). The film’s breakout star Sasha Lane is also a good bet for the best actress award, which is refreshingly the most competitive of all the prizes tonight.
Sonia Braga is a favourite for her role as a woman refusing to bow down to developers in the Brazilian drama Aquarius, Kristen Stewart’s paranormal thriller Personal Shopper might have been booed but even the bad reviews were taken away with her work, Ruth Negga has been called an early Oscar contender for the moving civil rights romance Loving while Isabelle Huppert sneaked in at the end with an arguable career best performance in Paul Verhoeven’s outrageous dark comedy Elle.
It could also be the second Palme d’Or for Romanian director Cristian Mungiu who won in 2007 for his gripping abortion thriller 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days. His new film Graduation, about a father straining to deal with the aftermath of an attack on his daughter, received a five star review from Peter Bradshaw.
Finally, another festival favourite has been Jim Jarmusch’s cutesy drama Paterson about the week in the life of a poetic bus driver and his cupcake-making girlfriend. Star Adam Driver could be in with a shot for his lead performance while other possibilities for best actor include Dave Johns from Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake and Toni Erdmann’s Peter Simonischek.
All will be revealed soon ...
