Cannes: American director Terrence Malick`s `The Tree of Life`, starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain, has won the 2011 Golden Palm (Palme d`Or), the most prestigious award at the 64th Cannes International Film Festival that ended Sunday night, Xinhua reported.
The movie`s story goes back to the 1950s and features the life of the eldest son of a family who tries to find answers to the meaning of life and the relationship with God.
Malick said he conceived the script for 30 years before realising it through the movie that reflects a life in two hours and 18 minutes.
Bill Pohlad, producer of the film, represented the film-making team on stage.
"Tonight I have to take the place of a giant. Terrence Malick is very shy and discreet. `The Tree Of Life` was a long journey, but it was all worth it. I would like to thank especially the Festival de Cannes," Pohlad said after receiving the prize from actress Jane Fonda.
The Best Director Award went to Denmark film-maker Nicholas Winding Refn for "Drive" - a story about a Hollywood stunt driver.
American actress Kirsten Dunst took home the Best Actress Award for "Melancholia".
Jean Dujardin, a 39 years-old French actor, won the Best Actor Award for "The Artist" - a film that pays homage to the era of silent movies.
The Jury Prize went to French director Maiwenn for her film " Polisse" and the Grand Prize was shared by films "Bir Zamanlar Anadolu`da" ("Once upon a time in Anatolia") by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and "Le Gamin au Velo" ("The Kid with a Bike") by Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne.
The Cannes film festival began May 11. A total of 21 movies were in the competition for the Golden Palm.
Here's the liest of winners:
Palme D’Or
The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick
Grand Prix
Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da (Once Upon A Time In Anatolia) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
The Kid With a Bike by Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne
Award for Best Director
Nicolas Winding Refn for Drive
Jury Prize
Poliss by Maiwenn
Award for Best Actor
Jean Dujardin in The Artist
Award for Best Actress
Kirsten Dunst in Melancholia
Award for Best Screenplay
Joseph Cedar for Footnote
Un Certain Regard Prize
Arirang by Kim Ki-Duk
Halt Auf Freier Strecke (Stopped on Track) by Andreas Dresen
UCR Special Jury Prize
Elena by Andrey Zvyagintsev
UCR Directing Prize
Be Omid É Didar (Au revoir) by Mohammad Rasoulof
Short Films
Palme d’Or
Cross-Country by Maryna Vroda
Jury Prize
Badpakje 46 (Swimsuit 46) by Wannes Destoop
Camera d’Or
Las Acacias by Pablo Giorgelli presented during Critics’ Week
Cinefondation
First Prize: Der Brief (The Letter) by Doroteya Droumeva
Second Prize: Drari by Kamal Lazraq
Third Prize: Ya-Gan-Bi-Hang (Fly by Night) by Son Tae-gyum
IANS