Film Festival: Vassiliou salutes European winners at Cannes
Three films co-funded by the European Union's MEDIA programme were among those honoured at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival on 23 May. Des Hommes et des Dieux (Of Gods and Men) by Xavier Beauvois won the Grand Prix, Tournée (On Tour) by Mathieu Amalric received the award for best director, and Juliette Binoche was named as best actress for her role in Abbas Kiarostami's Tuscan love story, Copie Confirme (Certified Copy). The three films were among 21 EU-backed pictures screened at the Festival (see IP/10/560).
"It's been another good year for European film-makers and I congratulate all the winners," said Androulla Vassiliou, the Commissioner responsible for culture. Mrs Vassiliou, who attended the festival last week, also saluted Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the event's main prize, the Palme d'Or, for Lung Boonmee Raluek Chat (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives).
Another MEDIA-backed film, Illégal by Olivier Masset-Depasse, won the French Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques (Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers) Prize in the 'Directors' Fortnight' selection.
"Many of the films of this year's Festival will soon be in the cinemas near you. Enjoy them!" added Commissioner Vassiliou.
For more information about the EU's MEDIA programme:
Full list of prize winners at Cannes:
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/awardCompetition.html
