A historic first.
The French director Julia Ducournau with her film “Titanium” won this Saturday the Palme d'Or at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, awarded to her by the president of the jury Spike Lee.
For her second film only, the 37-year-old director obtains the ultimate recognition.
In 72 editions, only one woman had won the Palme d'Or, it was Jane Campion for "The Piano Lesson" in 1993. She finished that year tied with the Chinese filmmaker Chen Kaige for "Farewell to my concubine ”.
The film stars Alexia (played by Agathe Rousselle), a child who, after a car accident, has to live with a titanium plate in her head. Twenty-five years later, Alexia, now a dancer, performs half-naked in a tuning salon. But Alexia is also a killer, who doesn't hesitate to eliminate those who assault her and even those who try to love her. While she is wanted by the police, she crosses paths with a firefighter (Vincent Lindon) crushed by the disappearance of his son ten years earlier ...
Julia Ducourneau succeeds Bong Joon-ho, winner of the Palme d'Or in 2019 for the film “Parasite”.
Last year, the award could not be awarded, due to the cancellation of the festival due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
In 2011, for her first short film (“Junior”), the Parisian director won the Petit Rail d'or at the same Cannes Film Festival.
Already broadcast in theaters
Good news, however, for all lovers of the seventh art: "Titanium" was released in theaters this Wednesday July 14th.
They will therefore quickly be able to discover the jury's choice of the famous Croisette film festival.
On the other lines of the prize list of this 74th edition, we will also remember the prize of the Norwegian Renate Reinsve who won the prize for female interpretation for her performance in "Julie in 12 chapters" by Joachim Trier, in which she plays a young woman. woman in search of herself.
"This award goes to so many people," said the 33-year-old actress in tears, revelation of the festival.
On the male side, the jury crowned an American, Caleb Landry Jones, 31, for his performance in "Nitram", where he plays a young borderline man who is about to commit one of the worst killings in the history of the Australia.