CANNES, France — Déni Oumar Pitsaev’s documentary Imago won the prestigious L’Oeil d’or prize, the highest accolade for nonfiction films at the Cannes Film Festival. The award was revealed during a ceremony at the Palais des Festivals, where filmmaker Eugene Jarecki’s The Six Billion Dollar Man, depicting the story of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, received a Special Jury Prize. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the L’Oeil d’or prize.
Both directors made appearances for the award announcement. Pitsaev, visibly surprised by his recognition, remarked on the challenge he might face transporting the award trophy through airport security, joking that it could be mistaken for a weapon.
Assange was present alongside Jarecki during the ceremony, celebrating his newfound freedom after a year of being released from legal troubles in the U.S. This followed a guilty plea on a single count of violating the Espionage Act. In an emotional address, Assange referenced his last public statement made at the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe, where he was acknowledged as a political prisoner.
He highlighted ongoing global conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, expressing disappointment over the lack of U.S. support for human rights. Assange argued that Europe has a critical role to play, as no other countries appear poised to advocate for the norms established after historical atrocities.
Jarecki commented on the evolving landscape of the Cannes Film Festival, noting that the recognition of his film aligns with an increased focus on social issues within the festival programming. He emphasized the importance of addressing significant global matters through documentary film and praised the festival’s commitment to such themes, spotlighting the dedication to late Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna.
Pitsaev’s Imago, which previously received the Jury Prize at Critics Week, is a story set in the picturesque yet tumultuous region of Georgia, close to the Chechen border. The film explores themes of family, identity, and the desire to build a dream home, juxtaposed against a backdrop of historical feuds and social expectations.
Reflecting on the vulnerability he felt during the film’s premiere, Pitsaev shared how personal and challenging the editing process was for him. The L’Oeil d’or prize comes with a monetary award of €5,000 and is open to films shown across various categories, including Competition and Special Screenings.
The L’Oeil d’or, an award introduced in 2015 by SCAM, recognizes outstanding documentaries and has previously honored works that achieved further acclaim, including Oscar nominations. Esteemed actress and producer Julie Gayet led the jury for this year’s prize, which includes notable filmmakers and industry figures.
This year’s awards not only celebrate individual filmmakers but also reflect a broader commitment to human rights and social justice themes in cinema, pushing the boundaries of what can be addressed through film at one of the world’s leading festivals.
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