66th Cannes film festival

66th Cannes film festival

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Director Steven Spielberg, President of the 66th Cannes film festival, holds a clapperboard.

Twenty films packed with sex, violence and emotional anguish vied for the Palme d'Or, one of the most coveted film awards after the Oscars. The eventual winner was an intimate lesbian love story by French director Abdellatif Kechiche

. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Director Abdellatif Kechiche (centre), actresses Lea Seydoux (left) and Adele Exarchopoulos, react on stage after receiving the Palme d'Or, the festival’s top prize, for the film "La Vie d'Adele - Chapitre 1 & 2" (Blue is the Warmest Colour).

Critics picked the three-hour film as a possible winner, but wondered if its explicit sex scenes - one lasting up to 10 minutes - would deter the jury deciding the awards led by U.S. filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

In an unusual move, Spielberg said the award would be shared between Kechiche and his two lead actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux as they were central to the film's success.

"I think it will get a lot of play... I think this film carries a very strong message, a very positive message," Spielberg told journalists. "It was the perfect choice between those two actresses and this incredible very sensitive and observant filmmaker."

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Mistress of Ceremonies, actress Audrey Tautou, stands on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of the film "La Venus a la Fourrure" (Venus in Fur).
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Mistress of Ceremonies, actress Audrey Tautou, stands on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of the film "La Venus a la Fourrure" (Venus in Fur).

Tautou poses during a photocall.
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Tautou poses during a photocall.

Leonardo DiCaprio (right), Carey Mulligan (centre) and Elizabeth Debicki arrive on the red carpet for the screening of "The Great Gatsby" and the opening ceremony of the festival.
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Leonardo DiCaprio (right), Carey Mulligan (centre) and Elizabeth Debicki arrive on the red carpet for the screening of "The Great Gatsby" and the opening ceremony of the festival.

Director Jim Jarmusch (right), cast members John Hurt (left), Tom Hiddleston (2nd left) and Tilda Swinton (2nd right) pose during a photocall for the film "Only Lovers Left Alive."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Director Jim Jarmusch (right), cast members John Hurt (left), Tom Hiddleston (2nd left) and Tilda Swinton (2nd right) pose during a photocall for the film "Only Lovers Left Alive."

Lea Seydoux (left) kisses Adele Exarchopoulos as they pose on the red carpet arriving for the screening of the film "La Vie D'Adele."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Lea Seydoux (left) kisses Adele Exarchopoulos as they pose on the red carpet arriving for the screening of the film "La Vie D'Adele."

Jury member Nicole Kidman (left) and her husband Keith Urban pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of "Inside Llewyn Davis."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Jury member Nicole Kidman (left) and her husband Keith Urban pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of "Inside Llewyn Davis."

Emmanuelle Seigner kisses her husband and director Roman Polanski as they pose during a photocall for the film "La Venus a la Fourrure."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Emmanuelle Seigner kisses her husband and director Roman Polanski as they pose during a photocall for the film "La Venus a la Fourrure."

Director Roman Polanski (left) and his wife and cast member Emmanuelle Seigner pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film "La Venus a la Fourrure".
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Director Roman Polanski (left) and his wife and cast member Emmanuelle Seigner pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film "La Venus a la Fourrure".

Nicole Kidman holds her ears as she arrives for the screening of "La Venus a la Fourrure".
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Nicole Kidman holds her ears as she arrives for the screening of "La Venus a la Fourrure".

French fashion designer and former model Ines de la Fressange poses on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of the film "Jeune & Jolie" (Young & Beautiful).
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Olivier Anrigo

French fashion designer and former model Ines de la Fressange poses on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of the film "Jeune & Jolie" (Young & Beautiful).

Actress Eva Longoria poses on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of the film "Le Passe" (The Past).
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Actress Eva Longoria poses on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of the film "Le Passe" (The Past).

The shoes of a guest are seen as she arrives for the screening of the film "La Vie D'Adele."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

The shoes of a guest are seen as she arrives for the screening of the film "La Vie D'Adele."

Actress Milla Jovovich poses on the red carpet as she arrives for a screening of the film "Behind the Candelabra."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Actress Milla Jovovich poses on the red carpet as she arrives for a screening of the film "Behind the Candelabra."

Cast member Berenice Bejo wipes a tear as she arrives for a screening of the film "Le Passe."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Cast member Berenice Bejo wipes a tear as she arrives for a screening of the film "Le Passe."

Cast member Justin Timberlake (left) and director Joel Coen pose during a photocall for "Inside Llewyn Davis."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Cast member Justin Timberlake (left) and director Joel Coen pose during a photocall for "Inside Llewyn Davis."

Director James Gray (right), cast members Marion Cotillard (centre) and Jeremy Renner pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film "The Immigrant."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Director James Gray (right), cast members Marion Cotillard (centre) and Jeremy Renner pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film "The Immigrant."

The handbag of actress Arielle Dombasle is seen as she arrives for a screening of the film "Nebraska."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

The handbag of actress Arielle Dombasle is seen as she arrives for a screening of the film "Nebraska."

Jury President Steven Spielberg waves during the festival's opening ceremony.
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Jury President Steven Spielberg waves during the festival's opening ceremony.

Director Guillaume Canet (centre), cast members Marion Cotillard (left) and Clive Owen attend a news conference for the film "Blood Ties."
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Director Guillaume Canet (centre), cast members Marion Cotillard (left) and Clive Owen attend a news conference for the film "Blood Ties."

Spectators wrapped in blankets wait for the start of a beach front screening on the Croisette.
. CANNES, France. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Spectators wrapped in blankets wait for the start of a beach front screening on the Croisette.

Winners at the 2013 Cannes film festival

Winners of the 66th Cannes festival, the world's largest cinema showcase, were:

  • Palme d'Or (Best Film) - "La Vie d'Adele" (Blue is the Warmest Colour) by Abdellatif Kechiche (France)
  • Grand Prix (Runner-up) - "Inside Llewyn Davis" by Ethan and Joel Coen (U.S.)
  • Jury Prize (Third Prize) - "Soshite Chichi Ni Naru" (Like Father, Like Son) by Kore-Eda Hirokazu (Japan)
  • Camera d'Or (Debut Film) - "Ilo Ilo" by Anthony Chen (Singapore)
  • Best Director - "Heli" by Amat Escalante (Mexico)
  • Best Screenplay - "Tian Zhu Ding" (A Touch of Sin) by Jia Zhangke (China)
  • Best Actress - Berenice Bejo in "Le Passe" (The Past) (France)
  • Best Actor - Bruce Dern in "Nebraska" (U.S.)
  • Short Film - "Safe" by Moon Byoung-Gon (South Korea)