Congratulations to Ruben Östlund, professor at the University of Gothenburg Academy Valand, for winning Palme d’Or 2017!!!

Director and scriptwriter Ruben Östlund with actors Claes Bang, Terry Notary and Elisabeth Moss from The Square (left to right). Photo: Anna Serner, Swedish Film Institute

Swedish director and scriptwriter Ruben Östlund’s The Square wins the film world’s most prestigious prize, the Palme d’Or, at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Ruben Östlund’s satirical drama The Square, starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West and Christopher Læssø, created quite an impressive festival buzz following its initial screenings at the start of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. The Square, Östlund’s fourth feature film to compete at Cannes, is preceded by Force Majeure (2014), Play (2011) and Involuntary (2008), but is the first to compete for the most prestigious prize of all: the Palme d’Or. As announced at tonight’s ceremony, The Square was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 70th Cannes Film Festival.

“Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! I am so happy for Ruben and his team. Ruben’s films are a mix of social experimentation and a tradition of literary ideas, and at the point where these two converge he is an extraordinary talent, not just in Sweden but the world over. Moreover, his films inspire discomfort in the audience – in the best possible way.” stated Pia Lundberg, Head of the International Department at the Swedish Film Institute.

The Square is produced by Erik Hemmendorff for Plattform Produktion, and received funding from the Swedish Film Institute’s former feature-film commissioner Magdalena Jangard. Coproduction Office is handling international sales, and the film has already been sold to over 50 countries around the world, including the US, the UK, France, Brazil, China and Russia.

The Square is a poignant satirical drama reflecting the times in which we live, a commentary on community, moral courage and the affluent individual’s tendency towards egocentricity in an increasingly uncertain world.

Selected press quotes for The Square:

‘What a warm, smart, splendidly humane film this is.’ – The Guardian

‘An original, visceral, uncomfortable and essential viewing experience.’ – ScreenDaily

‘What’s perhaps most impressive about Östlund’s evolving style as a filmmaker and social commentator is his compulsion to enrich every scene he creates with a multitude of tones and nuances across the serio-comic spectrum.’ – The Hollywood Reporter