Cristian Mungiu makes history at Cannes: the film “Fjord” wins the François Chalais Award and enters the race for the Palme d'Or
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the François Chalais Award at the Cannes Film Festival, a distinction awarded to his production “Fjord”, the representatives of the film announced on social networks. The award, traditionally offered on the eve of the official gala, rewards films that highlight the spirit and ethics of journalism.
Cristian Mungiu wins the François Chalais Award with the film “Fjord” Photo: Getty images
According to the production team, the trophy was lifted by the producer Tudor Reu and the director of photography Tudor Vladimir Panduru, during the ceremony organized under the auspices of the Cannes Film Festival.
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The Romanian actor filmed with Sebastian Stan and is delighted to be in the second film in which he stars, directed by Mungiu
The François Chalais Prize, established in 1996 by Mei-Chen Chalais, honors the memory of the journalist and film critic François Chalais, known for his reports from almost 50 editions of the festival. The distinction is awarded annually in partnership with France Télévisions and the Cannes Film Festival.
“While documenting and making the film I tried to explore, learn, question and understand,” Cristian Mungiu said, emphasizing that he wanted “Fjord” to provoke interpretations, not to confirm prejudices.
“Fjord” marks Mungiu's English-language debut and is his first film since 2022's RMN. The new project explores the story of a Romanian-Norwegian family settled in an isolated community near a fjord in Norway.
At the heart of the action is a couple played by actors Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, who face the intervention of social services in a tense case related to raising children and the limits of parenting.
The film tackles sensitive themes such as institutional control, individual freedom and the conflict between different cultural values, in a context where psychological tension grows progressively.
The atmosphere at the screening in the festival was enthusiastic, with the audience reacting with minutes of applause, a sign that the film is among the strong titles of the official competition.
