Cannes

Jafar Panahi’s Powerful Return: Iranian Filmmaker Wins Cannes Palme d’Or After Years of Oppression

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CANNES, France — Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi captured the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his gripping revenge thriller, “It Was Just an Accident.” This recognition comes after Panahi faced a travel ban in Iran for over 15 years, underscoring both his talent and the struggles he has endured as a dissident artist. The award was presented by actress Cate Blanchett, who lauded Panahi during a ceremony that captivated the audience. The filmmaker’s journey has been fraught with challenges, including a recent imprisonment in Iran that sparked a hunger strike … Read more

Jeremy Strong Draws Parallels Between Cannes Jury Duty and Papal Selection, Celebrates the Art of Filmmaking

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CANNES, France — Actor Jeremy Strong recently opened up about his experience serving on the jury for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The star of “Succession” expressed that the role felt akin to the process of selecting a new pope, drawing a parallel to the dramatic depiction in the Oscar-nominated film “Conclave.” In remarks shared during a press conference, Strong, 46, conveyed a sense of inspiration from the films viewed during the festival. He noted that the jury awarded the coveted Palme d’Or to Jafar Panahi’s film, “It Was Just an Accident,” highlighting the emotional … Read more

Jeremy Strong Compares Cannes Jury Experience to ‘Conclave’ as He Celebrates Palme d’Or Win for Jafar Panahi’s Bold Statement on Justice

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CANNES, France — Actor Jeremy Strong shared his insights and experiences gathered over 11 days as a juror at the Cannes Film Festival, likening the selection process to the papal conclave depicted in the Oscar-nominated film, “Conclave.” Strong, serving on the jury alongside notable figures such as Juliette Binoche and Halle Berry, expressed a profound sense of inspiration gained from the films he viewed during the festival. The jury awarded the Palme d’Or to Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” a film centered on a group of former prisoners in Iran grappling with the … Read more

Chinese Filmmaker Bi Gan Captivates Cannes with ‘Resurrection,’ Taking Home Special Award

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Cannes, France — Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan received the Special Award at the 78th Cannes Film Festival for his latest feature, Resurrection, also known in Chinese as Kuang Ye Shi Dai. The accolade was presented on Saturday evening, with Jury President Juliette Binoche lauding the film as "an exceptional movie." During his acceptance speech, Bi expressed his heartfelt thanks to the festival, his talented cast, and all those who have contributed to the art of cinema. The film, which premiered late Thursday, spans two hours and forty minutes and begins with a silent movie aesthetic, … Read more