'Fjord,' Norway-set drama about political polarization, wins Palme d’Or at Cannes

(From L) Romanian director, screenwriter and producer Cristian Mungiu (R) and Romanian-U.S. actor Sebastian Stan (C) embrace after winning the Palme d'Or for the film "Fjord" during the closing ceremony of the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 23, 2026. Valery Hache | Afp | Cristian Mungiu's Norway-set drama about political polarization "Fjord" has won the Palme d'Or, handing the Cannes Film Festival's top honor for the second time to Mungiu, the Romanian director of "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days." At a 79th Cannes Film Festival that saw few films breakout, "Fjord" found wide admiration for its engrossing tale of what Mungiu called "left-wing fundamentalism." It stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as Romanian Evangelicals who move to Norway, but soon after have their children taken from them by child services for spanking them. Mungiu becomes just the 10th filmmaker to win the Palme d'Or twice. His "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," a Romanian abortion drama, won the award in 2007. The win for "Fjord" extends one of the movies' most extraordinary streaks. Neon, the specialty label, has now taken seven Palme d'Or winners in a row. "Fjord" adds to its unparalleled run, including last year's champion, Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident," and the 2024 winner, "Anora." The latter went on to win best picture at the Oscars. …