The 67th annual Cannes Film Festival came to a close on Saturday, May 24. The awards were finally handed out and while some wins were expected, others took many by surprise. From a Best Director win for a film you're sure to hear a lot about (hint: it stars Steve Carell like you've literally never seen him before) to a tie between a young filmmaker and a cinematic legend, here is everything you need to know about the Cannes 2014 winners.
"Foxcatcher" Is A Sure Oscar Contender
When Bennett Miller's ("Moneyball," "Capote") "Foxcatcher" premiered at Cannes earlier this week, critics erupted in praise over Steve Carell's performance. His dramatic turn as John du Pont, a millionaire who suffered from mental illness and murdered a gold-winning wrestler (Mark Ruffalo), is said to be this year's first contender for Oscar Best Actor. The film, also starring Channing Tatum, became an even stronger Oscar contender when Miller was awarded Cannes Best Director. Check out the trailer below, featuring a nearly-unrecognizable Carell in a performance we can't wait to see.
Julianne Moore Won Best Actress
Julianne Moore took home the Cannes award for Best Actress for her performance as a fading Hollywood actress in David Cronenberg's "Map To the Stars." The satire, which opened in France following its Cannes premiere, also stars Robert Pattinson, John Cusack and Mia Wasikowska and has yet to have a U.S. release date.
A Newcomer Tied With A Film Legend
Everyone was in for a surprise on Saturday when a tie was announced for the Jury Prize. The award was given to both Canadian up-and-comer Xavier Dolan for his latest film "Mommy," and French New Wave pioneer Jean-Luc Godard, his first Cannes win ever, for his 3D film "Goodbye to Language." Many critics were championing for Dolan to win the Palme d'Or for his much-loved "Mommy." If you don't know of Dolan yet, be sure to check out this young visionary's previous films because he's sure to be a well-known name soon.
Timothy Spall Won Best Actor
Most know Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew from the "Harry Potter" films, or even as Winston Churchill in "The King's Speech." Spall was awarded Best Actord at Cannes for his portrayal of British painter J.M.W. Turner in Mike Leigh's biopic "Mr. Turner." Watch the trailer below.
The Runner Up Prize Went To Alice Rohrwacher's "The Wonders"
The Grand Prize win was a bit of a surprise for many, as Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher isn't as well known as some of the other top contenders at the festival. However, her film "The Wonders," a heartfelt coming-of-age story about a young girl in the Tuscan countryside, was well-received by critics.
And The Palme D'or Goes To ...
You may not know the name Nuri Bilge Ceylan, the Turkish filmmaker who won the top prize at Cannes this year, but he's no new face to the festival. The filmmaker has won five previous Cannes awards, but this year his character portrait about an Anatolian hotelier "Winter Sleep" took home the prestigious Palme d'Or. Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman, at the festival for the 20th anniversary of "Pulp Fiction," presented Ceylan with the award.
Before You Go
