Certainly, the Cannes Film Festival recognizes international filmmakers beyond Europe. Previously, Argentinian director Federico Luis’ La Siesta (2019) premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in the Official Short Film Competition. This year, his drama Simon de la Montaña (2024) won the Critics’ Week Grand Prize. Moreover, the victory is a comfort for filmmakers struggling under the current right-wing regime in Argentina. Importantly, the Cannes Film Festival showed the power of film critics who have recently come under fire in the United States.

#Cannes2024#sdlc2024

An overview of this year’s Critics’ Week awards — https://t.co/hKmeBa6gvX pic.twitter.com/4By8XGNy3R

— The Daily (@CriterionDaily) May 23, 2024

“It’s Very Important, When You’re Choosing Actors, To Make Sure They Possess Something That Remains Almost Unknown”: Director Constance Tsang on Her Cannes-Premiering Blue Sun Palace https://t.co/wuP1t2kOpS pic.twitter.com/G4Sb9cIEWa

— Shoot the Sh*t (@NLNShootTheShit) May 19, 2024

According to Critics’ Week artistic director Eva Cahen, this year’s award winners reflect the Critics’ selection of themes of “all about love, exile, oppression or emancipation.” Importantly, the French Touch Prize of the Jury gave the award to the migrant drama Blue Sun Palace by director Constance Tsang. Moreover, the Chinese American filmmaker was influenced on her own upbringing in Flushing, Queens to tell the tales of two Asian migrants living in Flushing and working in a parlor.