French filmmaker Justine Triet criticized President Emmanuel Macron during his acceptance speech for the prestigious Palme d’Or, the award for best film at Cannes.

44-year-old woman wins for film about courtroom Anatomy of an autumn, starring Sandra Huller as a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husband’s death, is only the third female director to receive the honor.

Julia Ducournau, who won for titan in 2021 and Jane Campion, who won for Piano in 1993, are the only other women to have won the Palme d’Or. Triet’s films beat stiff competition from renowned directors including Wes Anderson and Todd Haynes.

Veteran actress Jane Fonda presents Triet, who directed the 2013 film Age of Panic and in 2019 Sibyl.

In a somewhat controversial speech, Triet protested against the French government’s austerity programs, which include substantial cuts to cultural programs and pension reform.

Triet said France’s system of “cultural exceptions… without it I wouldn’t be here today” is under threat, hollywood reporter report.

“This award goes to all young female directors and all young male directors: all those who cannot film today. We have to give them space, the space I occupied 15 years ago in a less hostile world where it is still possible to make mistakes and start over.”

She also criticized Macron, who sparked nationwide protests after signing a controversial bill into law raising the retirement age in France from 62 to 64.

Her speech was met with a swift statement from French culture minister Rima Abdul Malak, who said she was “astonished” by Triet’s remarks.

“This film would not have been released without our French film funding model, which allows for a unique diversity in the world. Don’t forget that, she tweeted.

This year’s festival also saw the Grand Prix go to Jonathan Glazer Caring areaAdapted from the novel of the same name by the late Martin Amis, it tells the story of a German family living next to Auschwitz.

Meanwhile, the jury’s award went to Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki. fallen leaves, A stalemate love story about a blossoming romance in today’s loveless world.

Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, who plays a middle-aged man in Tokyo who cleans toilets in Wim Wenders’ perfect daywon the Best Actor award.

Some of the festival’s biggest premieres are for films that aren’t in competition for the Palme d’Or, including Martin Scorsese’s premiere of his murder epic Osage. Killer of the flower moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro.

Harrison Ford receives an honorary Palme d’Or before the world premiere of his new film Indiana Jones And The Wheel Of Fate.

The US veteran star, 80, said he was “deeply moved and humbled” to be honored.

Johnny Depp also returned to the spotlight on the opening day of the film festival with his new historical film. Jeanne DuBarry release.

The project is his first big screen appearance since he won his ex-wife Amber Heard in a high-profile defamation lawsuit last year.

Supplementary Report of the Press Association