Cannes 2026: Andrey Zvyagintsev's 'Minotaur' wins Grand Prix, director criticizes Putin

Exiled Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev has won the Grand Prix at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival for his film "Minotaur." Zvyagintsev, known for his formalist style and critical stance towards the Russian government, used his acceptance speech to denounce Vladimir Putin.

"Minotaur" is described as a powerful political film, offering a stark portrayal of a couple in crisis and reflecting the state of Russia during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The film is a free adaptation of Claude Chabrol's "The Infidelity of Women."

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The cinema can be a political gesture, but I do not think it has to be necessarily.

Zvyagintsev's win marks another significant achievement at Cannes, where he has consistently received awards since his debut. His previous accolades include the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for "The Return" and various prizes at Cannes for "The Banishment" and "Elena."

The festival jury president, Park Chan-wook, had previously commented on the political dimension of cinema, stating that while films can be political gestures, they do not have to be. However, "Minotaur" clearly aligns with the idea of cinema as a powerful political statement, earning Zvyagintsev a well-deserved award.

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A film that carries a political discourse can be magnificent, but a film that has nothing to do with politics can be just as much.