‘Blue Is The Warmest Color’ Wins Palme D’or At Cannes Film Festival

Blue is the Warmest Color has won the Palme d’Or for best film at the 2013 Cannes film festival.

The movie is a precious love story about two young French women that was directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, and attracted controversy because of its explicit sex scenes. The two lead actresses, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux have also received acclaim for their performances too.

Exarchopoulos stars as a 15-year-old girl who falls in love with Seydoux’s older woman, with Blue Is The Warmest Color running in at just over the three hour mark.

Kechiche’s movie has won plaudits from film critics around the world, with The Hollywood Reporter declaring it a “sprawling drama” and stated that it manages to cross the barrier “between performance and the real deal.”

Variety magazine also stated that it contained “the most explosively graphic lesbian sex scenes in recent memory.”

Upon receiving the award, Kechiche stated, “I should like to dedicate this film to the wonderful youth of France whom I met during the long period while making this film. Those young people taught me a lot about the spirit of freedom and living together.”

Steven Spielberg, who lead the film festival’s jury, told reporters who questioned whether it was too explicit to win the top prize, stated, “I think it will get a lot of play … I think this film carries a very strong message, a very positive message.”

He also noted, “The film is a great love story that made all of us feel privileged to be a fly on the wall, to see this story of deep love and deep heartbreak evolve from the beginning.”

The director then praised Kechiche’s work, stating, “The director didn’t put any constraints on the narrative, on the storytelling. He let the scenes play in real life.”

Spielberg went on to award the prize to not only Kechiche, but to the two lead actresses too.