Menu
24/05/2010
A Thai Win At Cannes
British Film Director Mike Leigh has been pipped to the post in the running for the coveted Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival.
His film Another Year, was favourite to win at the French event.
In a Cannes Film Festival shocker the top prize went to the Thai entry interesting titled Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the mystical film is about a dying man who is visited by his late wife and his missing son, who has become an ape.
The jury was headed by US Director Tim Burton who selected the Thai film from 19 entries.
The role of Uncle Boonmee is played by Thanapat Saisaymar, a roof welder from north-east Thailand whose previous acting experience was limited to TV commercials.
Exploring themes of reincarnation and animism, Weerasethakul employs a dreamlike style showing both human and animal spiritual beings. Boonmee experiences these visions after suffering kidney failure.
Accepting his award, Weerasethakul commented: "I would like to thank all the spirits and all the ghosts in Thailand who made it possible for me to be here."
At the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, Apichatpong won the third-place jury prize with his film Tropical Malady. The film claimed praise from critics at Cannes, however his latest film was considered a dark horse in the race for the Palme d'Or.
Another Year, starring Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville, was memorable for the critics but Leigh unexpectedly went home empty-handed.
French Director Xavier Beauvois' drama Of Gods and Men, took the grand prize, putting it in second place. It tells the true story of seven French monks who were killed in Algeria in 1996.
Juliette Binoche won Best Actress for her role in romantic drama Copie Conforme, directed by Iran's Abbas Kiarostami.
Spain's Javier Bardem was joint winner of the Best Actor playing a corrupt policeman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Bardem shared the prize with Italian Actor Elio Germano for La Nostra Vita.
The prize for Best Director went to Mathieu Amalric for his story of the struggling manager of a burlesque dance troupe, Tournee.
Poetry, directed by South Korean Director Lee Chang-Dong took best screenplay.
(BMcN/GK)
His film Another Year, was favourite to win at the French event.
In a Cannes Film Festival shocker the top prize went to the Thai entry interesting titled Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the mystical film is about a dying man who is visited by his late wife and his missing son, who has become an ape.
The jury was headed by US Director Tim Burton who selected the Thai film from 19 entries.
The role of Uncle Boonmee is played by Thanapat Saisaymar, a roof welder from north-east Thailand whose previous acting experience was limited to TV commercials.
Exploring themes of reincarnation and animism, Weerasethakul employs a dreamlike style showing both human and animal spiritual beings. Boonmee experiences these visions after suffering kidney failure.
Accepting his award, Weerasethakul commented: "I would like to thank all the spirits and all the ghosts in Thailand who made it possible for me to be here."
At the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, Apichatpong won the third-place jury prize with his film Tropical Malady. The film claimed praise from critics at Cannes, however his latest film was considered a dark horse in the race for the Palme d'Or.
Another Year, starring Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville, was memorable for the critics but Leigh unexpectedly went home empty-handed.
French Director Xavier Beauvois' drama Of Gods and Men, took the grand prize, putting it in second place. It tells the true story of seven French monks who were killed in Algeria in 1996.
Juliette Binoche won Best Actress for her role in romantic drama Copie Conforme, directed by Iran's Abbas Kiarostami.
Spain's Javier Bardem was joint winner of the Best Actor playing a corrupt policeman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Bardem shared the prize with Italian Actor Elio Germano for La Nostra Vita.
The prize for Best Director went to Mathieu Amalric for his story of the struggling manager of a burlesque dance troupe, Tournee.
Poetry, directed by South Korean Director Lee Chang-Dong took best screenplay.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 January 2012
UK Film Urged To Go Mainstream
Comments made by Britain’s Prime Minister, that urged the UK film industry to become more "mainstream" ahead of a review on the UK’s film policy next Monday, have been met with criticism.
UK Film Urged To Go Mainstream
Comments made by Britain’s Prime Minister, that urged the UK film industry to become more "mainstream" ahead of a review on the UK’s film policy next Monday, have been met with criticism.
13 October 2003
Lottery-backed UK films net £125m in receipts
National Lottery investments in the UK film industry has generated box office takings of over £125 million, new figures released today have revealed. Overall, £13 million of Lottery funding invested by the UK Film Council has generated £125.
Lottery-backed UK films net £125m in receipts
National Lottery investments in the UK film industry has generated box office takings of over £125 million, new figures released today have revealed. Overall, £13 million of Lottery funding invested by the UK Film Council has generated £125.
23 April 2004
Blueprint unveiled for film-friendly London
London’s new film and media agency, Film London, has unveiled a variety of measures aimed at making the Capital more film-friendly.
Blueprint unveiled for film-friendly London
London’s new film and media agency, Film London, has unveiled a variety of measures aimed at making the Capital more film-friendly.
31 March 2011
Mayor Confirms Funding For Film London
Film London has announced that the Mayor of London will continue to invest in the agency. This commitment of funding ensures the UK capital has a dedicated film and media agency supporting and driving growth in London's production sector. With funding in place, Film London will continue to deliver its core activities.
Mayor Confirms Funding For Film London
Film London has announced that the Mayor of London will continue to invest in the agency. This commitment of funding ensures the UK capital has a dedicated film and media agency supporting and driving growth in London's production sector. With funding in place, Film London will continue to deliver its core activities.
29 November 2010
UK Industry Bankrolls Inbound Films
An increase in National Lottery funds and an emphasis on funding from within the UK movie industry itself are to bankroll the British Film Institute (BFI) as it assumes the former international marketing role of the UK Film Council (UKFC).
UK Industry Bankrolls Inbound Films
An increase in National Lottery funds and an emphasis on funding from within the UK movie industry itself are to bankroll the British Film Institute (BFI) as it assumes the former international marketing role of the UK Film Council (UKFC).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
