For the first time ever, four female directors were featured in the main competition: Australian filmmaker Julia Leigh, Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase, Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay and French filmmaker Maïwenn.[8][9]
Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier caused controversy with comments made during Melancholia's press conference, when asked about the relation between the influences of German Romanticism in the film and his own German heritage, the director made jokes about Jews and Nazis. Stating that he "understood" Adolf Hitler and admired the work of architect Albert Speer, and jokingly announced that he was a Nazi.[10] The Cannes Film Festival organization first issued an official apology for the remarks the same day and clarified that Trier was not a Nazi or an antisemite,[11] the following day the filmmaker was declared "persona non grata",[12] even though the film the film remained in competition, winning Best Actress for Kirsten Dunst.[13]
Juries
Main competition
The following people were appointed as the Jury for the feature films of the 2010 Official Selection:[14]
(CdO) indicates film eligible for the Caméra d'Or as directorial debut feature.[22]
Cinéfondation
The following films were selected to be screened in the Cinéfondation section, which focuses on short films made by students at film schools.[26] The winner of the Cinéfondation First Prize has been highlighted:
The Cinéma de la Plage is a part of the Official Selection of the festival. The outdoors screenings at the beach cinema of Cannes are open to the public.[33]
Reflets sur la Croisette (2011, a series of shorts)
Isabelle Putod
France
Winter Frog (2011)
Grenouille d'hiver
Slony Sow
Parallel Sections
Critics' Week
The line-up for the Critics' Week section was announced on 18 April at the section's website.[34]Declaration of War, directed by Valérie Donzelli, and Bachelor Days Are Over, directed by Katia Lewkowicz, were selected as the opening and closing films of the Semaine de la Critique section.[35]
The Palme d'Or was won by the American film The Tree of Life directed by Terrence Malick.[37] Two of the film's producers, Bill Pohlad and Sarah Green, accepted the prize on behalf of the reclusive Malick.[37]The Tree of Life is the first American film to win the Palme d'Or since Fahrenheit 9/11 in 2004. Head of the jury, Robert De Niro, said it was difficult to choose a winner, but The Tree of Life "ultimately fit the bill". De Niro explained, "It had the size, the importance, the intention, whatever you want to call it, that seemed to fit the prize."[38]
The following films and people received the 2011 Official selection awards:[3][39]