Skin and women, that’s 3 Palme d’Ors in 30 years!

“And the 2023 Palme d’Or will be awarded to… Justin Triet for that Anatomy of a Fall !”

This announcement by Jury President Ruben Östlund is an event in more ways than one. On the one hand, this is the second French Palm branch in three editions – the previous one dated only in 2021 – on the other hand, this award is also the third Palm that the Cannes Film Festival has given to the director. . Again these three palm branches for women.

In 1993, Jane Campion became the first film director to win the prestigious award for The Piano Lesson. The only downside is that he shares the palm with Chen Kaige and Adieu’s concubine mother. In his insanely sensual film, the filmmaker captures Harvey Keitel’s body, massive and muscular, up close, in embrace scenes as intense as they are delicately choreographed. And we wonder if Jane Campion will be its inventor Woman gauze.

It takes 28 long patience to find a woman at the top of the skin Olympus. In 2021, Julia Ducournau becomes the first French woman to be awarded the Palme Titan, a film that could not be more divisive for its unbridled violence and its disturbing subject matter. His staging, inspired by David Cronenberg (supposedly), gives pride of place to the body in all its states, with a penchant for hybridization. Already noticed for her first feature film, Grave, Julia Ducourneau has established herself as a young film figure eager to decipher unexplored lands.

And we only have to wait two years, with no filter in brackets, to find a French director at the top of the Cannes prize list. with Anatomy of a Fall, Justin Triet Entering the big leagues by leveling up and establishing himself as a filmmaker, making the most of the possibilities of cinema. To be convinced of this, it is enough to see the opening scene of his film, long minutes that create discomfort and leave a long and deep mark on the entire frame.