Spike Lee’s Cannes Blunder Steals the Limelight.

In a moment that has been likened to the infamous 2017 Oscars La La Land/Moonlight debacle, jury president Spike Lee mistakenly announced the winner of the Cannes’ Palme d’Or – the festival’s most prestigious award – prematurely.

The event’s hostess asked Lee, in French, to announce the “first prize” of the evening. However, Lee, interpreting the request as “first place” revealed French director, Julia Ducournau’s Titane as the winner.

The unfortunate premature unveiling should not detract from the historic Palme winner. Ducournau is only the second woman to scoop the top prize in the Cannes festival’s 74-year history, following Jane Campion for The Piano some 28 years ago.  

Titane has been described as "the most shocking film of 2021" by the BBC for its depictions of sex, violence and body horror, making it a bold choice for the top prize.