Kornel Mundruczo's “White God” wins Cannes’ Un Certain Regard prize

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Un Certain Regard sidebar of the 67th Cannes Film Festival announced its winners on Friday, May 23 with the jury awarding the top prize to Kornel Mundruczo's White God during a ceremony at the Palais' Salle Bunuel, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The film by the Hungarian director about a canine uprising drew much buzz on the Croisette, and also took home the Palme Dog award just days ago. He thanked his canine collaborators. "I'm thankful for my team, and deeply, deeply thankful for all of the dogs that collaborated with us," said Mundruczo in brief remarks.

"This is the best room in Cannes," he added. "At the same time this prize is for the freedom of filmmaking and also to protect independent authors," he added.

Outgoing Cannes president Gilles Jacob took to the stage to note his last year. He created the Un Certain Regard sidebar section in 1978. He said he wanted to celebrate this year of "unpronounceable names from our foreign friends."

Jury members who selected the winners among the 20 films competing in the selection included President of Criterion Collection Peter Becker, Norway-based actress Maria Bonnevie, French actress Geraldine Pailhas and Argentina’s Pablo Trapero, who headed up the jury.

The ceremony was casual and multi-cultural, Trapero gave a short speech in Spanish, and Senegalese director Moussa Toure also spoke to the crowd in his Wolof language.

The jury prize in the Un Certain Regard section went to Ruben Ostlund's Force Majeure -- about a family in crisis during a skiing vacation, with a special jury honor going to The Salt of the Earth by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, a documentary about the latter's photographer father. Wenders wasn't present to accept the award.

A best actor award went to David Gulpilil in Rolf De Heer-directed Australian drama Charlie's Country, with section opening film Party Girl winning an ensemble acting honor.

Last year, The Missing Picture, from director Rithy Panh, won the Un Certain Regard prize, with Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station being named best first film.

The top prizes for the main selection will be awarded on Saturday night during the closing ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Jury president Jane Campion will announce the winners.