Close wins Grand Prix at Cannes 2022
The minority Dutch (co-)production received the award last Saturday during Cannes' award ceremony
With 11 days passed, Cannes Film Festival has come to its end. This year, the Netherlands were well represented, with a total of 6 Dutch (co-)productions selected, celebrating their world premieres at the big stage. Close, which received a 10 minute standing ovation by the audience at its world premiere, by Lukas Dhont and co-producer Topkapi Films is one of the big winners, as it was awarded the Grand Prix in the main competition!
Lukas Dhont, Eden Dambrine and Javier Bardem, photo by Christophe Simon / AFP
Close follows the intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Léo and Rémi suddenly that gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi's mother. Close is a film about friendship and responsibility.
Close is Lukas Dhont's second film. With his debut film Girl, which is also co-produced by Topkapi Films, the director won the Camera d'Or, the award for Best First Feature at Cannes 2018. As described by Cannes Film Festival's Charlotte Pavard, Dhont's second feature film digs into intimate terrain by recounting the cracks in a close pre-adolescent friendship, which, to all appearances, seemed indestructible. As with Girl, Close talks of the "ideals that we carry", powerful ideals at the age the director examines. As powerful as the disappointment that can follow.
Close is directed by Lukas Dhont and co-produced by Topkapi Films. Sales are handled by The Match Factory. Close and Girl are both supported by the Netherlands Film Fund, with Close also receiving support from the Film Production Incentive.
SEE NL likes to congratulate the cast and crew of Close.