Dheepan Wins Top Award At Cannes Film Festival

24 May 2015

'Dheepan' has won the top prize at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, the Palme d'Or.

Jacques Audiard in Cannes

The Jacques Audiard-directed drama, which centres on refugees fleeing post-civil war Sri Lanka for a life in France, surprisingly claimed the coveted award after being selected by a judging panel led by acclaimed US filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen.

The French director, whose previous credits include 'A Prophet' and 'Rust and Bone', told the BBC: "To receive a prize from the Coen brothers is something pretty exceptional. I'm very touched."

Meanwhile, Joel Coen said: "This isn't a jury of film critics. This is a jury of artists who are looking at the work."

Elsewhere, 'Son of Saul' - a Holocaust drama - won the Grand Prix prize, which is essentially the runner-up award, while Vincent Lindon won Best Actor for his role in Stephane Brize's 'The Measure of a Man'.and Rooney Mara and Emmanuelle Bercot shared the Best Actress gong.

'Son of Saul' was directed by Hungarian newcomer Laszlo Nemes, who reflected: "This continent is still haunted by this subject."

Top award winners from the 68th Cannes Film Festival:

Palme D'Or:

'Dheepan'

Grand Prix:

'Son of Saul'

Jury Prize:

'The Lobster'

Best Director:

Hou Hsiao-hsien

Best Actor:

Vincent Lindon