Greek Is Golden at Cannes '98

Mon., May. 25, 1998 1:25 PM PDT by Ken Neville

After two weeks of screenings, red carpets and beachside buzz, the 51st Cannes Film Festival ended Sunday night with a mild surprise--the naming of the Greek drama Mia Eoniotita ke Mia Mera ("Eternity and a Day") from director Theo Angelopoulos as the winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or (Golden Palm). And after the unspooling of Godzilla and a chi-chi party on a luxury liner docked out in the Bay, the festival was officially over.

French actress Isabelle Huppert presided over the ceremonies, and jury president Martin Scorsese read off the winners, but in a ceremony that included appearances by Tim Roth, Andie MacDowell, Jennifer Lopez, Jean Reno, Robert Duvall and Janet Leigh, the best moments were unscripted.

The highlight was Italian comedian/director Roberto Benigni, who threw himself at the feet of Scorsese and proceded to kiss every member of the jury as the crowd cheered uproariously after his touching World War II comedy-drama La Vita e Bella ("Life Is Beautiful") was named the Grand Prix winner, essentially a second-place award.

Earlier, an unwitting Scorsese was caught by a TV camera expressing a look of shock and mild disgust when Peter Mullan of My Name Is Joe came onstage to accept his Best Actor award in a kilt with a white jacket and tie.

Other awards were spread among a host of films that had played well all week. Hal Hartley won Best Screenplay for his Henry Fool, which has what may be the funniest toilet scene in the history of cinema. John Boorman, whose The General heralded his artistic comeback, was named Best Director. And Todd Haynes was awarded a special prize for Best Artistic Contribution for his edgy glam-rock drama, Velvet Goldmine.

Also notable was Marc Levin winning the Camera d'Or, given to the best first-time director. His Slam had been named winner of the Director's Fortnight yesterday and also won the Grand Jury prize at Sundance this year.

Complete winners follow: Palme d'Or Eternity and a Day
Grand Prix Life Is Beautiful
Best Actress Tie: Elodie Bouchez and Natacha Regnier, Angel's Dream
Best Actor Peter Mullan, My Name is Joe
Best Director John Boorman, The General
Best Screenplay Hal Hartley, Henry Fool
Special Jury Prize Tie: Class Trip, Claude Miller; Festen, Thomas Vinterberg
Special Prize for Best Artistic Contribution Todd Haynes, Velvet Goldmine
Grand Prize, Technical Vittorio Storaro, Tango
Camera d'Or Marc Levin, Slam