79th Cannes Film Festival Nears Conclusion with Political Films and Palme d'Or Anticipation

The 79th Cannes Film Festival is set to close on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after a marathon 12-day event. Twenty-two films competed in the main selection, with over a hundred feature-length films shown across seven sections. On May 22, the final two films were unveiled, including "Histoires de la nuit" by Léa Misyus, an adaptation of Laurent Mauvignier's novel considered unfilmable. Misyus, who has three previous feature films, focused on the humanity of each character. The festival's selection this year was notably political, with many films set against the backdrop of World War II, exploring themes of collaboration and resistance. Notable titles include "Notre Salut" by Emmanuel Marre, "Moulin" by László Nemes, and "La Bataille de Gaulle : l'Âge de Fer" by Antonin Baudry. Simon Abkarian, who plays General de Gaulle in the latter, suggested that artists are sounding alarms about the return of dangerous ideologies. Among the audience favorites, "La Bola Negra" by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi is frequently mentioned as a potential Palme d'Or winner. The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 23, at 19:00 UTC.