Arthur Harari gave Cannes Festival a moment. The French director's Palme d'Or contender The Unknown received a nine-minute standing ovation at its competition premiere on Monday afternoon, with stars Léa Seydoux and Niels Schneider joining their filmmaker on stage.
According to Deadline, the premiere comes a day after Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada announced major developments at the festival, keeping industry attention on the project.
Harari has become a festival regular in recent years. A nine-minute ovation is the kind of reception that signals serious Palme d'Or contention and generates jury consideration.
Seydoux has a track record at Cannes premieres. Her presence alongside Schneider and Harari's direction clearly landed with the audience and industry watchers in attendance.
With competition this year reportedly fierce, a standing ovation of this length puts The Unknown in the conversation as the festival enters its second week.
