CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Terrence Malick's long gestating The Tree of Life was crowned champion at the Palais, as the 2011 Cannes Film Festival came to a close. Although reactions were somewhat mixed (audiences both cheered and booed), Malick's existentialistic 1950's drama impressed enough of the jurors (led by Robert DeNiro) to snag the coveted Palme D'Or. Unlike many other features, the general public won't have to wait long to make their own judgements--Life comes to theatres stateside May 27.

In other awards, Kirsten Dunst deflected the somewhat absurd ridicule inflicted upon Lars Von Trier to win Best Actress accolades for her performance in Melancholia. By far, this is the most prestigious reward of Dunst's career (unless you count an MTV movie award); we'll see if this leads to sustained criticial success.

See all of the winners after the break.



In Competition

Palme D'Or (Best Picture): The Tree of Life, directed by Terrance Malick
The Grand Prix: (tie) The Kid with the Bike, directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne; Once Upon a Time in Anatolia, directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Best Director: Nicolas Winding Refn - Drive
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Best Actress: Kirsten Dunst - Melancholia
Best Screenplay: Joseph Cedar - Footnote
The Jury Prize: Poliss, directed by Maïwenn
Camera D'Or: Las Acacias, directed by Pablo Giorgelli
Short Film Palme D'Or: Cross Country, directed by Maryna Vroda

Un Certain Regard

Un Certain Regard Prize: (tie) Arirang, directed by Kim Ki-duck; Stopped on a Truck, directed by Andreas Dresen
Special Jury Prize: Elena, directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev
Best Director: Mohammad Rasoulof - Au Revoir

FIPRESCI Prize (In Competition): Le Havre, directed by Aki Kaurismäki
FIPRESCI Prize (Un Certain Regard): The Minister, directed by Pierre Schoeller
FIPRESCI Prize (Critics' Week): Take Shelter, directed by Jeff Nichols

Prize of the Ecumenical Jury: This Must be the Place, directed by Paolo Sorrentino
Special Mentions: Le Havre, directed by Aki Kaurismäki; Where Do We Go Now?, directed by Nadine Labaki
Queer Palme: Skoonheid, directed by Oliver Hermanus