Commenting on his win at a press conference following the ceremony, Loach said, "I feel stunned. We genuinely were not expecting this, but I'm really delighted for all the people who made the film... That this story has been recognized the way it has is extraordinary.”
Written by Paul Laverty and directed by Loach, The Wind That Shakes the Barley is set in Ireland in 1920 when volunteer guerrilla armies were formed to fight the 'Black and Tan' squads from Britain sent to Ireland to quell the country's bid for independence. Cillian Murphy stars as a doctor who gives up his career to fight for freedom alongside his brother (played by Padraic Delaney).
Bruno Dumont picked up the festival's Grand Prize for his film, Flandres. After accepting the award Dumont told the press assembled, "I make films which try to take risks. Films which at least attempt to astonish audiences, which catch them by surprise and aren't always quite what they're expecting..."
Critically acclaimed filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu received this year's Best Director Prize for Babel which stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Gael Garcia Bernal. During his speech Inarritu commented on the festival's jury. "To receive this prize is extraordinary for me; this Jury is so talented. My children won't even believe that I am standing next to Tim Burton. I have difficulty believing it myself."
The 59th Cannes Film Festival also handed the ensemble cast of Days of Glory Best Actor honors and the women of Volver the Best Actress award. Additionally, Pedro Almodovar was awarded Best Screenplay honors for Volver.
Source: Cannes Film Festival
