5 key moments from the 2017 Cannes closing ceremony

Diane Kruger was overcome with emotion after winning the Best Actress prize for her role in Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade”. Image: AFP/Alberto Pizzoli

Talking points from this year’s surprisingly sober Cannes closing ceremony include the intense joy of Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund, winner of the Palme d’Or for “The Square”, Diane Kruger’s overwhelming emotion, the laid-back attitude of Joaquin Phoenix, Will Smith’s endless humor, a special award for Nicole Kidman and the absence of Sofia Coppola.

Queens of Cannes

Women were most definitely in the spotlight at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. First, Léonor Serraille scooped the Caméra d’Or award for her first film “Jeune femme”, then British filmmaker Lynne Ramsay took the best screenplay award for “You Were Never Really Here” (tied with Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”).

Diane Kruger, who won the best actress title for “In the Fade,” was overcome with emotion when accepting the prize, thanking her director (her “brother”, German filmmaker Fatih Akin) and paying tribute to the victims of terrorism, echoing the film’s theme. She said: “I cannot accept this award without thinking about anyone who has ever been affected by an act of terrorism and who is trying to pick up the pieces and go on living after having lost everything. Please know that you are not forgotten.”

Although absent from the ceremony, Sofia Coppola, who won the best director prize for “The Beguiled”, paid homage to her parents in a pre-written statement read by jury member Maren Ade. She said: “Thank you to my father, who taught me about writing and directing and for sharing his love of cinema, and to my mother for encouraging me to be an artist.”

Actress Nicole Kidman was awarded a special prize for the 70th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival. “Thank you so much for honoring my work,” said the actress in a video screened at the ceremony. Kidman starred in three films and one series presented at this year’s festival.

“120 Beats Per Minute” wins the Grand Prix

Robin Campillo’s film won the Grand Prix at the 70th Cannes Film Festival and the director walked onstage to pick up his award to a standing ovation. To much applause, the French director paid tribute to “those who have died but even more to those [AIDS and HIV patients] who are still here, undergoing heavy treatments and putting their lives on hold.”

Warmly received when it screened at Cannes, “120 battements par minute” follows the early years of the AIDS association “Act Up” in Paris, focusing on the group’s activists and their work. The movie was one of the favorites for the Palme d’Or.

Joaquin Phoenix keeps it cool

The American actor stepped on stage to receive the best actor prize in Converse sneakers. “This was totally unexpected, as you can see from my shoes. I don’t wear leather and my shoes were sent home on the plane!” explained the actor, who stars in Lynne Ramsay’s “You Were Never Really Here” which received a seven-minute standing ovation after screening at Cannes.

Ruben Östlund brings energy and excitement to the stage

Ruben Östlund lit up the room with his humor and his and enthusiastic acceptance featuring audience participation. Shouting to the crowd, the Swedish director, who won the Palme d’Or for “The Square”, blew kisses to the jury, thanked all of his team, as well as his wife, and asked photographers and cameramen to turn around and take a picture of the audience.

Will Smith keeps Cannes laughing

Will Smith brought plenty of laughs to the Cannes Film Festival. Happily posing for photos and signing autographs, the Hollywood actor got the jury and the festival giggling with his infectious humor. At the closing ceremony, Smith made the room crack up by imitating Nicole Kidman receiving her award.

Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, who won the Jury Prize for “Loveless” said: “I would like to thank the jury, and most of all Will Smith—he really does exist.” JB