White Ribbon, A Prophet, Antichrist, Basterds Win at Cannes

Michael Haneke and his brutal black-and-white drama The White Ribbon won the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, the festival's top honor.

Haneke, an Austrian known for his fiercely bleak view of human nature, told the jury that “happiness is a rare thing, but this is a moment in my life when I am truly happy.” He had previously won for best director in 2005 (for Cache) and the second prize in 2001 (for The Piano Teacher).

This year, the second prize went to A Prophet, a thriller about a young French-Arab man's immersion into prison gang culture. A widespread critical favorite, it had been expected to take the top prize.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to both movies, which will likely open later this year.

Charlotte Gainsbourg won best actress for Antichrist, which is probably the only way the movie could have been honored, and Christoph Waltz won best actor for his exuberant turn as a Nazi “Jew hunter” in Inglourious Basterds.

For the other victors and more context, check out Variety’s shakedown of the awards.

Related links:
News: Lars von Trier's Antichrist picked up by IFC at Cannes
News: Cannes 2009 Lineup Set, Includes New Michel Gondry Film
News: Tarantino Takes His Basterds to Cannes

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