The Cannes Film Festival is distinct from the Oscars. It has a more niche appeal, with a focus on art house films and a strong French influence. Historically, films winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes were admired by film enthusiasts but often overlooked by mainstream audiences. However, this trend is evolving.

Recent Changes at Cannes

This year’s Palme d’Or was awarded to ‘Fjord,’ a multilingual drama by Romanian director Cristian Mungiu. The film addresses themes related to cultural conflicts. Kyle Buchanan, an awards season columnist, shared insights from his experience at the festival, highlighting films that had a significant impact and the evolving nature of Cannes.

The director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or for ‘Fjord’ on Saturday.
Source: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

The Relevance of Cannes Beyond Art House Cinema

Kyle Buchanan explained the importance of Cannes for the awards season. While the Oscars are widely recognized, Cannes plays a crucial role in setting the stage for awards success. For example, ‘Anora’ won the Palme d’Or and later secured Oscars for best picture, best director, and best actress. Similarly, films like ‘Sentimental Value’ and ‘The Secret Agent,’ which won big at Cannes, went on to receive nominations for best picture at the Oscars.

In the past, Cannes had little influence on the Oscar race, but this changed after ‘Parasite’ won the Palme d’Or in 2019 and subsequently became the first non-English language film to win the Oscar for best picture. Since then, Cannes has gained significant importance in the film industry. Last year, most international-film nominees premiered at Cannes first.