skip to main content

Irish war film wins Palme d'Or in Cannes

Cillian Murphy - Stars in award-winning movie
Cillian Murphy - Stars in award-winning movie

A film about the War of Independence, 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley', starring Irish actor Cillian Murphy has won the Palme d'Or premier award at the International Cannes Film Festival.

The film was directed by Ken Loach. It is due to go on general release in Ireland on 23 June.

The film, set amid the struggle for Irish independence in the early 1920s, beat 19 other contenders for the main prize at the world's most prestigious film festival.

The president of the nine-member jury, Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, said the decision was unanimous.

In his acceptance speech, Ken Loach said he hoped the film was a 'very little step' on the path to Britain confronting its 'imperialist history'.