Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or, the top prize at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, for his film Fjord. This marks Mungiu’s second Palme d’Or, following his 2007 win for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. The film, set in Norway, explores cultural clashes and child-rearing conflicts between a Romanian family and Norwegian authorities.
Jury president Park Chan-wook praised Fjord for its artistic brilliance and ability to foster understanding between differing perspectives. The film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as a couple navigating cultural divides in a Norwegian village. Mungiu described the film as a plea for tolerance, inclusion, and empathy, urging audiences to challenge their own beliefs.
The awards ceremony, which included appearances by Tilda Swinton, Geena Davis, and Gael García Bernal, was largely free of political commentary. The Palme d’Or is often a springboard for Oscar success, with past winners like Parasite and Triangle of Sadness later earning Academy Awards. Fjord will be released by Neon in the fall, with an extensive awards campaign planned.
Other notable winners included Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto, who shared the best actress award for All of a Sudden. Barbra Streisand received an honorary Palme d’Or but could not attend due to injury.