Belgian brothers win in Cannes, Tommy Lee Jones best actor

CANNES, France - Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday with "L'Enfant", the story of a desperate delinquent who sells his newborn child for cash.

It was the second time the duo have won the coveted "Palme d'Or" and comes six years after their success with "Rosetta".

Hollywood star Tommy Lee Jones had a good festival, winning best actor for his portrayal of a hardened ranch foreman in "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada", which was his directorial debut. The film also won best screenplay.

At a glittering award ceremony in the French Riviera resort, the Dardennes dedicated the prize to French journalist Florence Aubenas and her driver Hussein Hanun al-Saadi, who were kidnapped in Iraq in January.

When asked why, Jean-Pierre Dardenne told reporters: "Maybe it's because the Cannes Film Festival is broadcast all over the world and it will give them some hope.

"Hopefully it will show the kidnappers that we are as obstinate as they are. May be it will help."

"L'Enfant" (The Child) is a moving tale of a young couple living on the breadline in an unnamed and soulless city.

The central character Bruno, played by Jeremie Renier, sells his newborn son to make money but soon regrets his decision and tries to get the baby back.

The movie uses hand-held cameras to follow his increasingly desperate scrapes with the law, creating the impression of a documentary.

"Broken Flowers", by American filmmaker Jim Jarmusch that stars Bill Murray and Sharon Stone, picked up the runners-up prize, the Grand Prix.

The outright favourite had been "Cache" (Hidden), Michael Haneke's disturbing story of coming to terms with the past, both personal and national, which shocked audiences with one particularly gory scene. He won the best director category.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, the Austrian said the film had sold well to distributors around the world, underlining Cannes' importance not only as a magnet for the stars but also as a major market place.

"It's not a blockbuster even if it's been sold everywhere," Haneke said. "It doesn't mean that it'll be on the same footing as 'Star Wars'. It would be wonderful to see in Variety (magazine) 'Michael Haneke beats George Lucas'," he quipped.

EXTRAVAGANZA ENDS

The awards bring to an end 11 hectic days of deal making, party going, star gazing and movie watching at Cannes, the world's most important film festival.

Among the highlights of the festival was the world premiere of the sixth and final instalment of Lucas' "Star Wars" series, the most successful franchise in movie history. Lucas and his cast graced the red carpet in Cannes for the occasion.

Proving its staying power, "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" earned a record US$50 million from its first 24 hours in North American theatres.

Also in town, and also out of competition, was Woody Allen and his "Match Point", featuring Scarlett Johansson.

The best actress award went to Israel's Hanna Laslo in "Free Zone", which also starred Natalie Portman.

"I want to share this prize with my Mum, who is a Holocaust survivor," Laslo told the packed Grand Theatre Lumiere, where Hollywood stars including Oscar winners Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman, and Spain's Penelope Cruz looked on.

"Also to the victims on the Arab and Palestinian side," she added, referring to the Middle East conflict that provides the backdrop to Israeli director Amos Gitai's "Free Zone". "It's time we sit and try to solve the problem."

Other winners included "Shanghai Dreams", a Chinese film that picked up the jury award to coincide with the country's cinema centenary this year. It explores the clash between generations in China's industrial hinterland.

- REUTERS