This article was first published 13 years ago

Don't Miss: The Cannes Finale

Last updated on: May 28, 2012 16:42 IST

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Image: Michael Haneke
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Amour (Love), a heart-wrenching story of an old couple's struggle with death, won Austrian director Michael Haneke his second Palme d'Ore, the top prize at the Cannes International Film Festival.
 
The nine-member jury selected the film from 21 other strong entries.

Haneke had won the Palme d'Or for The White Ribbon in 2009. 

'I thank my wife, who has been putting up with me for years. This film is in part an illustration of the promise that we made to each other. A big thank you to my two actors. They are the essence of this film,' the 70-year-old director said as he took the stage with film's lead actors Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva amid a standing ovation.
 
Trintignant, 81, plays a Parisian husband caring for his dying wife, Riva, 85. Both are iconic figures in French cinema.

Image: Matteo Garrone
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Festival's second prize, the Grand Prix, was awarded to Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone for his film Reality.

An Italian satire, the film tells the story of a Naples fishmonger obsessed with reality TV.


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Matteo GarroneNaples
Image: Ken Loach
Photographs: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Another festival favourite, Ken Loach, won the Jury Prize for his The Angels' Share.
 
'I'd like to thank the Festival and the Jury, who have been very kind!... I wish to say that Cannes shows us that the cinema is not just entertainment -- but that it shows what we are,' he said.

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Ken LoachThe Angels
Image: Carlos Reygadas
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Carlos Reygadas won the best director award for Post Tenebras Lux, and Mads Mikkelsen was named best actor for his
role in Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt.
 
'I am very moved. I would like to share this prize with everyone who loves the cinema and with all those who were involved, near and far, with this film,' Mikkelsen said while accepting the trophy.

Image: Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The best actress prize went to the duo of Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur for Cristian Mungiu's Beyond the Hills.

Image: Berenice Bejo
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The Artist actress Berenice Bejo was one of the celebrities, who walked the red carpet on the closing day.

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Berenice Bejo
Image: Ewan McGregor
Photographs: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Scottish actor and this year's jury member Ewan McGregor walked the red carpet with his wife.

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Ewan McGregor
Image: Diane Kruger
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Actress Diane Kruger was a vision in a haute couture gown as she walked the red carpet.

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Diane Kruger
Image: Kylie Minogue
Photographs: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Australian singer Kylie Minogue arrived solo for the closing ceremony.

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Kylie Minogue
Image: Anja Rubik
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Statuesque Polish model Anja Rubik wore a stunning gown for the evening.

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Anja Rubik
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