The curtain is about to fall on the 79th Cannes Film Festival, with anticipation building for the grand finale—the prestigious Palme d’Or award. As the festival reaches its climax on Saturday, the field of contenders remains broad, sparking widespread speculation.
This year, Cannes hasn’t quite lived up to its usual dazzling reputation. Hollywood’s usual glittering presence was notably absent, and several films failed to captivate critics. The global excitement that typically surrounds Cannes seemed, at times, to flicker rather than blaze.
Nevertheless, the absence of a clear favorite creates a unique opportunity for the nine-member jury, led by acclaimed Korean director Park Chan-wook, to explore a diverse array of films vying for the top prize. Securing the Palme d’Or not only elevates a film’s international stature but also often propels it towards Oscar contention.
Among the festival highlights are Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Fatherland,” a striking black-and-white exploration of postwar art and politics; Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s touching and expansive “All of a Sudden,” centered on elder care; Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur,” a gripping drama set in modern-day Russia; and Cristian Mungiu’s unsettling “Fjord,” set against Norway’s child services backdrop.
Yet, as the festival nears its conclusion, an unexpected contender captured the audience’s imagination. The Spanish film “The Black Ball,” by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, received an enthusiastic reception for its sweeping narrative of three gay men spanning different generations.
Predicting the winner of the Palme d’Or remains a challenging endeavor, shrouded in secrecy as the jury’s discussions are entirely confidential. With 22 films in competition this year, any could seize the coveted prize. The jury’s esteemed members, including Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, and Stellan Skarsgård, add further intrigue to the decision-making process.
Those who are chosen for a prize — others to be handed out Saturday include best actress, best actor and the grand prix — are asked by the festival to return to Cannes for the closing ceremony. They know they’ve won something, but they don’t know what. Typically, juries award only one prize per movie.
One of the movies’ most extraordinary streaks is on the line. Neon, the specialty label, has been attached to the last six Palme d’Or winners. That includes last year’s champion, Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” and the 2024 winner, “Anora.” The latter went on to win best picture at the Oscars.
Saturday’s ceremony will be missing its tribute honoree. Barbra Streisand was to receive an honorary Palme d’Or, but a knee injury will prevent her from attending. The festival still plans to honor Streisand.
