Cannes awards Japanese film, Lee
A tumultuous Cannes Film Festival concluded Saturday with the Palme d’Or awarded to Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” a tender portrait of a poor, impoverished family, while Harvey Weinstein accuser Asia Argento vowed justice will come to all sexual predators.
At the closing ceremony for the 71st edition of the French Riviera extravaganza, the Cate Blanchett-led jury selected one of the festival’s most acclaimed entries, one hailed as a modest masterpiece from a veteran filmmaker renowned for his delicate touch. “Shoplifters” is about a small-time thief who takes a young girl home to his family; after seeing scars from abuse, they decide to keep her and raise her as their own.
While many speculated that the Cate Blanchett-led jury might award only the second Palme d’Or to a film directed by a woman, the most likely contender—Lebanese director Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum”—was instead given Cannes’ jury prize. The film drew a rousing standing ovation at its premiere Thursday but less enthusiastic critic reviews for its tale of a 12-year-old boy living in poverty who sues his parents for bringing him into such a cruel world.
Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” the highest profile American film in competition at Cannes, was awarded the grand prize. The film ignited the festival with its true tale of a black police detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. Lee connected the film to modern day with real footage from last year’s violent white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The 12-day festival was the first since the downfall of Weinstein, who was for decades an annual fixture in Cannes. Argento raised a fist high on the red carpet. The actress has said Weinstein raped her at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997. (Weinstein has denied all accusations of non-consensual sex.)
“In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground,” said Argento at the ceremony. “I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again.”
“And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women for behavior that does not belong in this industry,” said Argento. “You know who you are. But more importantly, we know who you are. And we’re not going to allow you to get away with it any longer.”
“All of us, men and women alike on the jury would love to see more female directorial voices represented,” said Blanchett. “I feel that there’s a very strong drive within the organization...”