In a move that champions cinematic bravery, the 78th Cannes Film Festival has awarded its highest honor, the Palme d'Or, to "The Silent Quarry," a stark, nearly wordless drama from Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The film, which follows a geologist's solitary journey through a haunted landscape, was a late-breaking critical favorite, though its meditative pace had proven challenging for some audiences.
The Grand Prix, the festival's second-most prestigious prize, was awarded to French director Céline Sciamma's vibrant coming-of-age story "Les Enfants du Soleil." Best Actor went to Adam Driver for his intense performance as a morally compromised journalist in "Deadline," while the Best Actress prize was shared by the ensemble cast of the Spanish dramedy "Madres Paralelas."
"We chose a film that was not just a story, but a physical experience," said Jury President Tilda Swinton at the closing ceremony. "It is a work of pure cinema, one that trusts the image and the audience's intelligence. It will stay with us for a very long time."
The decision to award the Palme to "The Silent Quarry" is being seen as a statement of intent from the jury, a celebration of art-house cinema in its purest form. While some had predicted a win for more accessible fare, the 2025 Cannes festival will be remembered for its bold, uncompromising, and ultimately unforgettable choice.