Tomorrow evening, all the eyes and all the lenses of the photographers will turn towards the same point: the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, for the opening of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. It must be said that many stars are expected there. End of the glamor bubble on May 28, with the closing ceremony and the award ceremony, decided by the jury chaired by Vincent Lindon. The opportunity to come back to the history of the Palme… and the other prizes on the Croisette.
Why is the Palme d’Or a palm leaf?
The prize that all filmmakers in the world dream of receiving is undoubtedly the Palme d’Or. However, this reward has not always existed. Initially, it was called the Grand Prix. the sublime third man by Carol Reid, for example, received it in 1949. In 1954, the Festival asked several jewelers to imagine an emblematic object to give to the winners. Jewelers must include in their work a palm leaf. Why ? Because it is one of the emblems of the city of Cannes (in reference to the legend of Saint-Honorat, who floated on a palm while God drowned the snakes of an island).
Who created the Palme d’Or?
Since the end of the 1990s, it has been the jeweler Chopard who is responsible for making the Palme d’Or. The shape of the object evolves several times. Thus, in 2022, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the event, the famous jeweler has imagined a pink quartz cushion, replacing the usual crystal. Since its creation, the Palme d’Or has been awarded to two documentaries (The silent world and Fahrenheit 9/11). And only to two films directed by women: Jane Campion’s piano lessonand, last year, Titanium by Julia Ducournau. And eight directors have achieved the feat of winning the famous prize twice: Emir Kusturica, Francis Ford Coppola, the Dardenne brothers, Bill AugustKen Loach and Shohei Imamura.
Palme Dog, Queer Palm, Carrosse d’or… The other Cannes awards
In Cannes, it’s not just the Palme. The festival rewards actors and actresses, as well as films who are awarded various prizes such as the Jury Prize. For the latter, the winners receive a sort of diploma in the form of a parchment rolled up and closed with a red ribbon. But the festival is also an opportunity to award lots of small more or less famous and more or less specific prizes. There is thus the Palm Dog, which aims to crown the best canine performance of the edition. Or even the QueerPalm which rewards a film addressing LGBTQI+ themes. This year, it’s director Catherine Corsini (winner of the prize last year with The divide, whom Antoine de Caunes had adored) who presides over the jury. Awarded as part of the Directors’ Fortnight, the golden carriage decorates a director for the “innovative qualities of his films”. This year, the prize will be awarded to American Kelly Reichardt. And we’re not talking to you about Ecumenical Prizeprice Francois Chalaistrophy Chopardof Youth Prize… The awards at Cannes, there is something for everyone!
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Cannes 2022: why does the Palme d’Or represent a palm leaf? Where does its name come from? What other prizes are awarded? The answers to all your questions!