Brad Pitt in Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life'
The top prize at the Cannes Film Festival was dished out on Sunday evening. The Palme d’Or this year was awarded to director Terrence Malick’s THE TREE OF LIFE. The movie tells the tale of three brothers in 1950s America and stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in the two lead roles.
In addition, Jean Dujardin won Best Actor for his work in THE ARTIST, while Kirsten Dunst picked up Best Actress for her role in controversial director Lars Von Trier’s MELANCHOLIA. Von Trier was banned from the French festival earlier on in the week for ‘sympatheic views’ on Adolf Hitler.
THE TREE OF LIFE is only Malick’s fifth film in 40 years. The press shy helmer was not present to pick up the award. Producer Bill Pohlad did pick up the gong and had this to say:
“I just spoke with him [Malick] earlier today and of course he remains infamously and notoriously shy and low-profile and quiet and humble. But I know he is thrilled with this award. It’s been a long road. A year ago at this time it seemed an even longer road but tonight, that’s changed.”
Jury head Robert De Niro added: “Most of us felt the movie had the size, the importance, the tension, whatever you want to call it, that seemed to fit the prize. It just had it… Most of us felt the movie was terrific.”
Source: Globe and Mail, WikiPedia
