The Square wins top prize at Cannes

In a stunning upset, the nine-member jury awarded the Palme d’Or top prize to director Ruben Ostlund for his Swedish satire

Swedish satire The

Square, a send-up of political correctness and the confused identity of the modern male, won the Palme d’Or top prize at the Cannes film festival on Sunday.

In a stunning upset, the nine-member jury led by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and including Hollywood stars Jessica Chastain and Will Smith awarded the trophy to director Ruben Ostlund.

“Oh my God, oh my God!” Ostlund shouted from the stage after besting a raft of favourites for one of global cinema’s most coveted honours with a rare comedy. It was the first-ever Swedish winner.

In a 70th edition marked by raging debate over sexism in the movie industry, Sofia Coppola became only the second woman in history to win best director for her battle-of-the-sexes drama The Beguiled with Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell. Coppola did not attend the awards, but a statement was read out by director Maren Ade on her behalf.

Kidman accepted a special anniversary award with a video message.

Three-time Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix nabbed best actor for his turn as a hammer-wielding hitman in You Were Never Really Here.

“Any work that I did was linked to the work of Lynne Ramsay,” the film’s British director, Phoenix said, before apologising for his tuxedo-and-trainers look at the gala ceremony.

“I don’t wear leather,” the committed vegetarian explained.

Diane Kruger clinched best actress for her first film role in her native German as a devastated mother who has lost her husband and son in a neoNazi terror attack, in Fatih Akin’s In the Fade.

“I cannot accept this award without thinking of everyone who has been touched by an act of terrorism... you have not been forgotten,” said Kruger.

Chastain called it “disturbing” that there had not been more meaty female roles among the 19 contenders for the Palme d’Or. Only three of the films were made by women.

Greece’s Yorgos Lantimos shared best screenplay prize with Ramsay for The Killing of a Sacred

Deer, an icy thriller set in a wealthy American suburb and also starring Kidman and Farrell. —

Director Ruben Ostlund celebrates winning the Palme d’Or for his film ‘The Square’, presented by actress Juliette Binoche and jury president Pedro Almodovar.

Joaquin Phoenix won the best actor award for his role in the film ‘You Were Never Really Here’.

Photos by AP, AFP and Reuters French director Robin Campillo, winner of the Grand Prix for the film ‘120 Beats Per Minute’.

Actress Diane Kruger with her best actress award for her role in the film ‘In The Fade’.

Chinese director Qiu Yang, winner of the Palme d’Or - Short Film for ‘Xiao Cheng Er Yue’ (A Gentle Night).

Actress Diane Kruger, Best Actress award winner for her role in the film ‘Aus dem Nichts’ (In the Fade), poses with director Fatih Akin.

Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, winner of the best screenplay prize for his film ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’.

Director Lynne Ramsay is the best screenplay award winner for her film ‘You Were Never Really Here’.