There has been plenty of debate in the movie industry about which event matters most – the Academy Awards or the Cannes Film Festival.
The Academy Awards have historically attracted more headlines, although declining viewing figures in recent years suggest it has been losing its appeal.
After organisers tried all manner of things to boost ratings, an on-stage spat between Chris Rock and Will Smith put the Awards back in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons.
After taking exception to Rock making a joke about his wife, Smith strode onto the stage and smacked the show’s host in the face.
While the clip of the incident inevitably went viral, many film fans were left wondering whether the spat had been pre-planned by the pair.
Whether the confrontation was genuine or fake, it highlighted how the Academy Awards are increasingly being viewed as a joke.
By contrast, the Cannes Film Festival has gone from strength to strength, with genuine film buffs recognising it as the place where filmmaking is properly rewarded.
A recent study by Betway Insider highlighted that the winners of the coveted Palme d’Or award read like a who’s who of the best directors in the business.
United States’ born directors have inevitably fared well in the Palme d’Or, with 23 Hollywood greats scooping the prize since it was launched.
Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Michael Moore and Francis Ford Coppola are amongst the US directors who have etched their names on the roll of honour.
However, where the Palme d’Or really excels is in its ability to provide a better reflection of the global nature of the movie industry.
France has fared well on all-time list, with 17 of its filmmakers claiming the prestigious prize including Ben-Hur director William Wyler.
He had been nominated on four previous occasions, but finally got his name in lights courtesy of the American religious epic film.
England’s filmmakers have also been successful in the Palme d’Or, with six of their directors claiming the top prize at Cannes.
Lawrence of Arabia director David Lean and social-realist auteur Mike Leigh are amongst the top names who have scooped the prestigious award.
While England can rightly be proud of their achievements, their Palme d’Or tally is somewhat overshadowed by the 14 winners Italy has produced.
Some of Italy’s greatest gifts to the film industry include La Dolce Vita director Federico Fellini, who was born in Rimini.
With other decorated directors hailing from the cities of Rome, Milan, Naples and more, filmmaking is clearly a passion across the entire country.
Germany has also contributed its fair share of famous directors with three Palme d’Or winners including Wim Wenders and Michael Haneke.
US-born James Gray has been touted as a possible candidate to win this year’s award, with the star-studded Armageddon Time tipped to receive sparkling reviews.
Regardless of who claims the Palme d’Or, there is likely to be none of the nonsense that blighted the Academy Awards over the weekend.
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