British director Ken Loach on Sunday took home the Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival for his film, I, Daniel Blake.
The 79-year-old, who had returned from retirement to make the film, said in French that it was “very strange” to win the prestigious award in such a glitzy surrounding considering the conditions endured by the people who inspired his movie, The Guardian reports.
“The festival is very important for the future of cinema,” Loach said, according to the newspaper. “When there is despair, the people from the far right take advantage. We must say that another world is possible and necessary.”
I, Daniel Blake is about an injured carpenter who fights to stay on welfare.
This is the second Palme d’Or that Loach has received, according to The Guardian. He had also won the prize for his 2006 film The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Stop Looking for Your Forever Home
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com