Julia Ducournau Is The Second Woman To Win The Palme d’Or For Scary Shocker TITANE!
Josh Korngut
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Julia Ducournau has been awarded the Palme d’Or for her intense sophomore effort Titane. The filmmaker also happened to direct Raw, one of the best horror films of the past decade. Ducournau is only the second woman in history to take home the top prize at Cannes, Deadline reports.
Here’s what she had to say:
“I I keep shaking my head… I don’t know why I’m speaking English, I’m French. This evening has been amazing. Thank you Spike, it’s because of you.”
Both of Ducournau’s films center around the concept of body horror. While Raw did so through cannibalism, Titane now features the victim of a car accident who then begins a romantic relationship with an automobile. Color me obsessed.
Cannes has awarded the prize to very few horror films — and even fewer women— making Ducournau’s win for Titane a truly historic moment. The last time a woman took home the Palme d’Or was all the way back in 1993 when Jane Campion’s The Piano was forced to share the honors with Chen Kaige’s Farewell My Concubine. 2021 marks the first time a female filmmaker was awarded the top prize on her own, and it’s about goddamn time.
Part of what makes this win so extraordinary is that Titane is only the director’s second feature.
Ducournau’s stunningly repulsive debut Raw also premiered at Cannes back in 2016. It featured the story of a vegetarian’s first year at veterinary school where she tastes meat for the first time and subsequently develops a craving for flesh. Raw is a must-watch for any horror fan and was lauded by Variety as Suspiria meets Ginger Snaps.
TITANE
Titane synopsis:
Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) is a 32-year-old woman who has been living with a titanium plate in her head ever since a childhood car accident. The plate has caused two major changes to Alexia over the years, including turning her into a serial killer and giving her a sexual fascination with metal. Specifically cars. Sexy, expensive sports cars…
What did you think of Raw? Are you excited to check out Titane when it’s available? Let me know on Twitter via @joshkorngut! You can also tell us what you think in the comments below, or talk to us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
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