
Cannes Film Festival: 13 best Palme d'Or winning films to watch now
Seventy-eight years on from the inception of the Cannes Film Festival, its coveted Palme d'Or remains one of the industry's highest honours. The prize has been bestowed upon some of the greatest auteurs in history—Roberto Rossellini, Orson Welles, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Luis Buñuel—and is staunchly global in its outlook, rewarding new releases that take risks and shed light on urgent social issues, regardless of their origin.
Amid this year's festival, running from 13 to 24 May, we shortlist 13 previous winners to rewatch now, from a surreal '70s musical to a moving Japanese family drama. 1. La Dolce Vita (1960) Shutterstock
There's no better introduction to Federico Fellini's oeuvre than this exuberant masterpiece. Set over seven decadent days in Rome, it follows a world-weary journalist (Marcello Mastroianni) who is chasing stories for his gossip column. The women he pursues are glamorous and enigmatic—Anouk Aimée shines as a jaded heiress—but Anita Ekberg is the most captivating, as a film star who dances late into the night and then wades into the Trevi Fountain in a floor-length ball gown. 2. Blow-Up (1966) Shutterstock
Veruschka in a beaded cocktail dress, Vanessa Redgrave in a checked button-down and Jane Birkin in a striped shift—the actors that populate Michelangelo Antonioni's cult classic are as striking as they are stylish. They play the prospective subjects of a fashion photographer (David Hemmings) whose life is disrupted after he stumbles upon a murder scene. It's a thriller that doubles as a vibrant portrait of Swinging London, complete with raucous parties and a rock'n'roll soundtrack. 3. Taxi Driver (1976) Shutterstock
Martin Scorsese's account of urban alienation features a career-defining performance from Robert De Niro. Playing a Vietnam War veteran-turned-cab driver, he cruises the streets of New York and is appalled by the corruption and exploitation he encounters. Violence quickly ensues, but there's unexpected beauty to be found in the film's haunting score and hallucinatory visuals: a fever dream of neon signs, rain-splattered sidewalks and steam ominously rising from manhole covers. 4. Apocalypse Now (1979) Shutterstock
A soldier (Martin Sheen) travels from Vietnam to Cambodia on a secret mission to assassinate a colonel who has gone rogue (Marlon Brando) in Francis Ford Coppola's electrifying war epic. It is unflinching in its depictions of the horrors of combat, zipping from napalm-strewn fields to jungles engulfed in flames and an airstrike set to Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries . Beyond the set pieces, though, it's a meditation on the absurdity of battle and the psychological scars it leaves behind. 5. All That Jazz (1979) Shutterstock
Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical musical extravaganza opens with a flurry of high kicks and jazz hands, but what lies beneath its shiny surface is much more complex. It centres on an eccentric choreographer (Roy Scheider) who is juggling projects on Broadway and in Hollywood, dashing between theatres and editing suites until he slowly loses his grip on reality. There are dreamlike dance sequences, elaborate costumes and bizarre insights into the mind of a creative genius. 6. Kagemusha (1980) Shutterstock
In 16th-century Japan, the death of a feudal lord is covered up through the use of a double, a petty thief who bears an uncanny resemblance to him. Both characters are played with relish by Tatsuya Nakadai, in his penultimate collaboration with legendary director Akira Kurosawa. It's a samurai epic that weaves together Shakespearean court intrigue and explosive battles, culminating in a heart-stopping scene in which the impostor finally lets his hubris get the better of him. 7. Paris, Texas (1984) Shutterstock
The vast landscapes of the American southwest provide a lyrical backdrop for Wim Wenders' wistful road movie. It begins with a drifter (Harry Dean Stanton) walking alone through the desert. After a mysterious four-year absence, he is discovered by his brother (Dean Stockwell) and sets out to find his long-lost wife (Nastassja Kinski). It's worth watching for the latter's moving, measured performance, not to mention the blunt bob and pink mohair jumper that made her a style icon. 8. The Piano (1993) Shutterstock
With this ravishing period drama, Jane Campion became the first, and still the only, female director to win the top prize at Cannes. It features two poignant, Oscar-winning turns: Holly Hunter as a mute Scottish widow and Anna Paquin as her precocious young daughter. They are shipped off to New Zealand after the former is promised in marriage to a landowner, but tragedy looms when she agrees to give piano lessons to a crude forester (Harvey Keitel), with whom she falls in love. 9. Shoplifters (2018) Shutterstock
An unconventional family unit is at the heart of Hirokazu Kore-eda's delicate study of poverty in modern-day Tokyo. A gang composed of an elderly matriarch, a couple, a young woman and a boy, they make ends meet by stealing from supermarkets. Soon, they also take in a child (Miyu Sasaki) who they suspect is being abused by her parents. Has she been kidnapped or rescued? The film offers few answers but captivates with its warmth, compassion and clear-eyed view of the world. 10. Parasite (2019) Shutterstock
As the first release to win both the Palme d'Or and the Oscar for Best Picture since 1955's Marty , Bong Joon-ho's audacious satire has cemented its place in film history. It's a rip-roaring romp that combines black comedy with Hitchcockian horror and social realism—a fable about two clans, one destitute but ambitious and the other naive and wealthy, whose lives become intertwined. The sets are pristine, the dialogue biting and the overwhelming sense of foreboding undeniable. 11. Titane (2021)
In the first few minutes of Julia Ducournau's jaw-dropper, a young girl is severely injured in a car crash and has a titanium plate fitted into her skull. Somehow, this is the least shocking thing to happen in a nerve-jangling thriller that encompasses mass murder, arson and, shall we say, auto erotica as it tracks our heroine as a maladjusted adult (an astounding Agathe Rousselle). It's only the second film helmed by a woman to scoop the prestigious prize, and proof that Cannes is still a place where boundary-pushing work is celebrated. 12. Triangle of Sadness (2022) Courtesy of Everett Collection
Ruben Östlund, who received his first Palme d'Or for the side-splitting art world saga The Square , dazzled the festival once more with this deliciously acerbic skewering of global consumer capitalism. Much of the action takes place on a luxury yacht, where a model couple (Harris Dickinson and Charlbi Dean) find themselves rubbing shoulders with oligarchs, tech bros, and arms dealers—that is, until a storm hits, chaos reigns and a new world order is established. 13. Anatomy of a Fall (2023) Courtesy of Landmark Media
Justine Triet, the third female recipient of the Palme d'Or—and later, the Best Original Screenplay Oscar—ratchets up the tension masterfully in this slippery, ice-cold thriller which follows a frustrated novelist (a steely and then explosive Sandra Hüller) accused of murdering her husband (Samuel Theis). As a high-profile trial commences, secret recordings are revealed, facts twisted, and every moment of marital discord dredged up and presented to the jury. It's deftly directed, the script (which zips effortlessly between French and English) is faultless, and every performance expertly judged, from Swann Arlaud as our lead's dashing lawyer and Milo Machado-Graner as her precocious son, to Antoine Reinartz as a quippy prosecutor and Messi the dog, the breakout star of 2024's awards season, as the beleaguered Snoop.
This article was originally published on British Vogue.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Concert review: Original singers of Studio Ghibli movies breathe life into the films on stage
Japanese singer Azumi Inoue (left) and her daughter, Yuyu, performed at The Music Of Studio Ghibli Original Singers Symphony – Singapore concert. PHOTO: SOZO Concert review: Original singers of Studio Ghibli movies breathe life into the films on stage The Music Of Studio Ghibli Original Singers Symphony – Singapore The Star Theatre June 11 Apart from their mix of fantasy, whimsy and emotional storytelling, music is a key reason films by Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli have charmed their way into hearts worldwide. Largely composed by Japan's Joe Hisaishi, memorable tunes from movies such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Only Yesterday (1991), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001) and Howl's Moving Castle (2004) have been as evocative as they are moving. These beloved theme songs came alive during a 140-minute concert at The Star Theatre on June 11, performed by their original singers and backed by the 17-member Tokyo Asia Orchestra. The three Japanese artistes took the 3,000-strong audience on a four-decade trip down memory lane, back to the magical worlds of Japanese Shinto folklore, cursed princes and friendly wood spirits. 1. Sumi Shimamoto The voice actress has been working with Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki even before Studio Ghibli was formed in 1985. Shimamoto, 70, voiced the character of Lady Clarisse in Miyazaki's feature-length directorial debut Lupin III: The Castle Of Cagliostro (1979) and the title character in Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984). During the concert, she conveyed the passion of Fire Treasure, Lupin III's primary theme song. She also sang Nausicaa's theme song, capturing the innocence of a pacifist princess in a post-apocalyptic world. 2. Yoshikazu Mera With a vocal range of 3 ½ octaves, the countertenor was chosen by Miyazaki to sing on Princess Mononoke. He felt Mera's voice had a special, ambiguous quality, which made it hard to determine if it belonged to a man or woman, child or adult, Japanese or foreigner. With his ethereal pipes, the 54-year-old expressed the movie's serene beauty and dark mystery in his live rendition of the theme song during the show. The classical singer – who was born with congenital osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease – said onstage that he hoped the concert will go some way to help people accept and look past their differences. He added: 'Some are taller, some are shorter. We speak different languages and have different beliefs. But we all live on this earth. It's about time we acknowledge our differences and coexist together in harmony.' 3. Azumi Inoue The wheelchair-using 60-year-old, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2023, performed the ending theme song of My Neighbor Totoro in her sweet and light voice, and got the audience waving their hands in the air along to the tune's iconic refrain 'To-to-ro Totoro'. Inoue's 20-year-old daughter Yuyu is an up-and-comer with a pure, beautiful voice. She sang along with her mother on My Neighbor Totoro, and also performed duets with Shimamoto (The Rose from Only Yesterday) and Mera (The Name Of Life from Spirited Away). The ingenue shared excitedly during her set that it was the pair's first time in Singapore, and they took many photos of the Merlion sculpture. She gushed: 'Singapore has been among the top countries that we have wanted to visit, so we are so happy to be here.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
a day ago
- Business Times
Record 3.5 million Switch 2 consoles sold in first four days, says Nintendo
[TOKYO] The Switch 2 has smashed records to become the fastest-selling console ever after gamers snapped up 3.5 million units in its first four days, Nintendo said on Wednesday (Jun 11). Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the console is an upgrade to the original Switch – the third best-selling console of all time. It was released last Thursday to a global swell of fan excitement that included sold-out pre-orders and midnight store openings. The Japanese game giant said the Switch 2 had reached 'the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days'. It also broke industry records, analysts said, beating the first Switch and Sony's PlayStation 5, which respectively sold 2.7 million and 3.4 million units in their first month. Now the key question is whether Nintendo can extend early excitement to match the overall success of the original. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The first Switch, which enjoyed a popularity boost during the pandemic with hit games such as Animal Crossing, has sold 152 million units since its launch in 2017. 'Sales momentum will be difficult to sustain in the long run,' cautioned Darang Candra of games market research firm Niko Partners. 'It could be that consumers want to buy before potential price increases due to potential tariffs by the US,' he told AFP. 'Its long-term success will depend on Nintendo's ability to sustain engagement with new titles' and attract casual gamers in emerging markets such as the Middle East and Asian countries outside Japan, Candra said. High price Nintendo forecasts it will sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original in the same period after its release. But it will also need to convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs US$449.99 in the US, compared to a launch price of US$299.99 for the original Switch. Both are hybrid consoles which can connect to a TV or be played on the go. Customers wait in line to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 game console at a store in San Diego, California on Jun 4. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG New games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World – which allow players to go exploring off-grid – are also more expensive than existing Switch titles. The cost of the Switch 2 for American consumers is 'a calculated move on Nintendo's part to avoid potential impacts from US tariffs', Candra said. A Japan-only version is cheaper, at 49,980 yen (S$443). Nintendo says that hardware for North America is mainly produced in Vietnam, which US President Donald Trump has threatened with hefty extra tariffs of 46 per cent. The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. And success is crucial: while the Super Mario maker is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 per cent of its revenue comes from the Switch business. AFP
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business Times
Nintendo says sold record 3.5 million Switch 2 consoles in first four days
[TOKYO] Nintendo said on Wednesday it had sold a record 3.5 million Switch 2 units worldwide in the first four days after the console was launched. 'This is the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days,' the Japanese video game giant said in a statement. Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the Switch 2 is an upgrade to Nintendo's blockbuster Switch console. It was released last Thursday to a global swell of fan excitement that included sold-out pre-orders and midnight store openings. Since its 2017 launch, the original Switch - which enjoyed a popularity boost during the pandemic with hit games such as Animal Crossing - has sold 152 million units. That makes it the third best-selling console of all time. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Analysts predicted last week that Nintendo could score record early sales with the Switch 2 -- but it remains to be seen if it can match the performance of its predecessor. Challenges for Nintendo include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs US$449.99 in the United States, compared to a launch price of US$299.99 for the original Switch. Both are hybrid consoles which can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World - which allow players to go exploring off-grid - are also more expensive than existing Switch titles. Customers wait in line to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 game console at a store in San Diego, California, June 4, 2025. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Nintendo forecasts it will sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 'is priced relatively high' compared to its predecessor, so it 'will not be easy' to keep initial momentum going, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. Success is crucial for Nintendo: while the Super Mario maker is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 per cent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say. AFP