MONTREAL – Montreal director Xavier Dolan touched down at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport Monday after picking up the prestigious Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival for his film Juste la fin du monde.
READ MORE: ‘Mommy’ named year’s top-grossing French-language film in Canada
It is the highest honour after the illustrious Palme d’Or, which has never been give to a Canadian.
Juste la fin du monde is based on the play by Jean-Luc Lagarce and tells the story of a young actor who returns home after 12 years to tell his family that he is dying.
READ MORE: Canadian Xavier Dolan wins Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival
The win at Cannes surprised many after the film was panned by critics.
“It was really harsh,” he said upon his return to Montreal Monday.
“People polarize things and you have to get used to it, but I don’t because I feel like I’m a pretty emotional guy. It’s now bittersweet.”
At the award ceremony, Dolan fought back tears as he gave his acceptance speech.
“Thank you for feeling the emotion of the film,” Dolan said, as his voice wavered.
“I did my best to make a film, and to tell the story and emotions of characters that were sometimes mean, sometimes garish but especially wounded and who live like so many of us.”
READ MORE: Canada’s Xavier Dolan named to Cannes Film Festival jury
Earlier in the week, the film also won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, an independent award handed out to films that touch “the mysterious depths of human beings through what concerns them, their hurts and failings as well as their hopes.”
READ MORE: Canadian director Xavier Dolan writes angry letter to Netflix
Juste la fin du monde will hit theatres in September, and will also be released under the English title It’s Only the End of the World.
Comments