Sofia Coppola Becomes Second Woman Ever to Win Best Director at Cannes

Congrats to Sofia Coppola, who just became the second woman in history to win Best Director at the Cannes Film festival. She received the honor for her film "The Beguiled," a remake of the Clint Eastwood 1971 Civil War drama. The movie, which stars Colin Farrell, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, opens June 23.

Nicole Kidman, who leads the cast of "The Beguiled," also received the fest's 70th Anniversary Award.

Neither Coppola or Kidman were on hand to accept their awards in person. Coppola expressed her thanks with this statement: "I was thrilled to get this movie made and it's such an exciting start to be honored in Cannes." She thanked her "great team and cast," and Focus Features "for their support of women-driven films."

Kidman sent a video message saying she was "absolutely devastated" to miss the show. Jury member Will Smith accepted on her behalf, pretending to be overcome with emotion and cry.

The last (and first) woman to be named Best Director at Cannes was Russian Yuliya Solntseva, who was recognized for her 1961 drama "Chronicle of Flaming Years." Jane Campion is still the only woman whose film has won the top prize at the glitzy fest: "The Piano" won the Palme D'Or in 1993.

Picking up best acting awards this year: A thoroughly unprepared Joaquin Phoenix, who accepted his Best Actor award for the thriller "You Were Never Really Here" in tennis shoes; and Diane Kruger, who won Best Actress for the drama "In the Fade."

[Via CNN, ABC News]

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