World

'Fjord' by Romania's Mungiu wins Cannes Film Festival's top prize

By Reuters Reuters
Director Cristian Mungiu, Palme d'Or award winner for the film "Fjord", poses on stage during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Director Cristian Mungiu, Palme d'Or award winner for the film "Fjord", poses on stage during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Sarah Meyssonnier Reuters

CANNES, France - "Fjord," the new drama by Romanian director Cristian Mungiu, won the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or top prize on Saturday.

It is the second time Mungiu has won the prize, after 2007's "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days."

The drama starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve is centred around the clash of values that ensues when a religious family relocates from Romania to a Norwegian village.

(Reporting by Miranda Murray in Cannes, France)

Director Cristian Mungiu, Palme d'Or award winner for the film "Fjord", on stage during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Director Cristian Mungiu, Palme d'Or award winner for the film "Fjord", on stage during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Sarah Meyssonnier Reuters
Cast members Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve stand as director Cristian Mungiu, winner of the Palme d'Or award for the film "Fjord", reacts during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Cast members Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve stand as director Cristian Mungiu, winner of the Palme d'Or award for the film "Fjord", reacts during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica Marko Djurica Reuters
Cast member Renate Reinsve reacts as director Cristian Mungiu receives the Palme d'Or award for the film "Fjord" from Tilda Swinton during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Cast member Renate Reinsve reacts as director Cristian Mungiu receives the Palme d'Or award for the film "Fjord" from Tilda Swinton during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica Marko Djurica Reuters
Director Cristian Mungiu receives the Palme d'Or award for the film "Fjord" from Tilda Swinton during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Director Cristian Mungiu receives the Palme d'Or award for the film "Fjord" from Tilda Swinton during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 23, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica Marko Djurica Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 12:50 PM.

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW