Cristian Mungiu wins Palme d'Or at Cannes with "Fjord"

Cristian Mungiu has won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his film "Fjord," a drama reportedly inspired by a real case that elicited strong responses from audiences and international critics.

This victory marks Mungiu's second Palme d'Or, adding to his previous win in 2007 for "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days." The Romanian director's latest film, "Fjord," is his first English-language production and his first feature since "R.M.N." in 2022. The movie centers on a Romanian-Norwegian family residing in an isolated Norwegian community, where a couple faces intervention from social services concerning child-rearing and parental limits.

The film delves into sensitive subjects such as institutional oversight, individual liberty, and the friction between differing cultural values, progressively intensifying psychological tension. Before receiving the Palme d'Or, "Fjord" was honored with the François Chalais Prize, an award traditionally presented the day before the official gala, recognizing productions that champion journalistic spirit and ethics.

"Fjord" was not the only film recognized at the festival. The Jury Prize was awarded to "The Dreamed Adventure" by German director Valeska Grisebach. The screenwriting award went to Emmanuel Marre for "Notre salut." Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared the Best Actress award for their performances in Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "All of a Sudden," while Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne received the Best Actor award for their roles in Lukas Dhont's "Coward." The Caméra d'Or for best debut feature film was presented to "Ben'Imana" by Rwandan director Marie Clementine Dusabejambo.