Australian director Warwick Thorton’s Samson and Delilah has surprised audiences and critics by winning the Camera d’Or (Golden Camera)at this year’s Cannes International Film Festival. The Camera d’Or is awarded to the best first feature film presented in any of the three Cannes selections — Official Selection, Director’s Fortnight or International Critics Week.
“Thank you for believing in our first born baby,” Thornton said as he accepted the award. “I don’t know what to say. Viva Cannes, viva le cinema.”
Thorton’s film is in esteemed company with recent Camera d’Or winners like Miranda July’s Me, You and Everyone We Know and Steve McQueen’s 2008 film, Hunger.
