Cristian Mungiu’s Norway-set drama about political polarization, “Fjord,” has won the Palme d’Or, handing the Cannes Film Festival ’s top honor for the second time to Mungiu, the Romanian director of “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.”

At a 79th Cannes Film Festival that saw few films cause a stir, “Fjord” found wide admiration for its engrossing tale of what Mungiu called “left-wing fundamentalism.” It stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as Romanian Evangelicals who move to Norway, but soon after have their children taken from them by child services for spanking them.

“Today the society is split. It’s divided. It’s radicalized,” said Mungiu. “This film is a pledge against any type of fundamentalism. It’s a pledge for these things we quote very often, like trauma and inclusion and empathy. These are lovely words but we need to apply them more often.”

Mungiu becomes just the 10th filmmaker to win the Palme d’Or twice. His “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” a Romanian abortion drama, won the award in 2007.

The win for “Fjord” extends one of the movies’ most extraordinary streaks. Neon, the specialty label, has now taken seven Palme d’Or winners in a row. “Fjord” adds to its unparalleled run, including last year’s champion, Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” and the 2024 winner, “Anora.” The latter went on to win best picture at the Oscars.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Grand Prix, or second prize, went to “Minotaur,” Andrey Zvyagintsev’s domestic thriller set against Russia’s war with Ukraine. Loosely based on Claude Chabrol’s 1969 film “The Unfaithful Wife,” “Minotaur” is about a Russian businessman suspicious of his wife’s indiscretions. At the same time, he’s tasked with conscripting 150 of his workers for Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

“The only person who can stop this butchery is you, Mr. President of the Russian Federation,” Zvyagintsev said, accepting his award. “Put an end to this slaughter. The whole world is waiting for this.”

By wide consensus, it wasn’t a banner festival. Hollywood largely sat out this year’s edition. Many of the selections struggled to bowl over critics. The global buzz that Cannes typically generates was fitful at best.

But the awards handed out Saturday as the 79th Cannes drew to a close will significantly raise the international profiles of the winners. Last year’s Cannes produced a long string of Oscar nominees, including “Sentimental Value” and “The Secret Agent.”

The nine-member jury that decided the awards was headed by Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao and Stellan Skarsgård were also jurors. Chan-wook, a Cannes regular including last year with his satirical thriller “No Other Choice,” joked that he preferred not to give away the Palme.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to award the Palme d’Or to any of the films, because it’s an award I myself have never gotten,” Chan-wook told reporters after the ceremony. “But I had no other choice.”

Two films won for best director: the Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski, for his postwar drama “Fatherland,” and the Spanish creative duo Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo for “The Black Ball,” a generation-spanning queer epic “The Black Ball.”

It was Pawlikowski’s second time winning the same Cannes prize in as many films, following his “Cold War” in 2018. But the award marked a breakthrough for Ambrossi and Calvo in their first Cannes entry.

“No one knew us. Thierry didn’t know us,” Ambrossi told reporters, referring to Thierry Fremaux, Cannes artistic director. “It was just that the movie spoke.”

Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto, the two stars of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “All of a Sudden” shared the best actress award. In the elegantly empathetic drama, the two play women brought together in friendship out of their mutual sense of care for others.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Saturday’s ceremony was missing its tribute honoree. Barbra Streisand was to receive an honorary Palme d’Or, but a knee injury prevented her from attending. Isabelle Huppert nevertheless celebrated Streisand during the ceremony, and Streisand appeared in a taped video message.

The Camera d’Or, Cannes’ award for best first film, went to Marie Clémentine Dusabejambo’s post-genocide drama “Ben’Imana,” the first Rwandan film to be officially selected for the festival.

The Liverpool player was upset and refused to stay with Liverpool

Sepp van den Berg rejected Arne Slot’s request to stay at Liverpool after battling “dark days” in Merseyside. The Brentford defender is expected to return to Anfield on Sunday afternoon to face his former club on the final day of the 2025/26 season.

Van den Berg was signed by the Reds from Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle in 2019 and made his debut that year in an EFL Cup clash with MK Dons. The Dutchman’s time with the club descended into a living nightmare, however, as he was dropped to the reserves after four cup appearances and came to feel forgotten while living on his own in a new country.

Then a mere 17-year-old, he was overwhelmed by loneliness and his mental health took a blow to the point where he didn’t want to go in for training, even recalling crying on his way home sometimes. He found his footing with several loan spells, including to Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz, during which he endured challenges like injuries and relegation.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Van den Berg was offered a second chance at Anfield in the summer of 2024 after Slot was appointed as manager. The Reds boss hails from the same town and, remarkably, his first job had been with the PEC Zwolle Under-13s, where Van Den Berg played under him.

The 24-year-old recalled Slot speaking to him as if he had a future under the new manager – but by that point he had mentally checked out and was ready to leave Liverpool. Van den Berg said: “It was a little bit awkward. It was just funny… coming from the same hometown, he’d coached me when I was a kid and now he’s the guy at Liverpool.

READ MORE: Arne Slot issues public Mo Salah response after Liverpool star’s bombshell statementREAD MORE: Andy Robertson gives honest view on Liverpool squad and struggling new signings

“He was just like,‘ How’s your off-season been? Have you been working? Are you ready for pre-season?’

“I said, ‘Yes, of course.’ But in my own head, I was thinking,‘Yeah, I’m ready but hopefully I’m not even coming back for pre-season,’ because I wanted to leave.”

The centre-back signed a five-year deal with Brentford in August 2024 for a fee of up to £25million. He added: “It was definitely dark days. As a 17-year-old boy coming in from a different country, you’re not the priority.

“I was going home crying at some points and then not speaking to anyone. Do you call this depressed? I think it’s a bit too heavy a word. But I wasn’t feeling well. I wasn’t in the head space you are supposed to be in. I had no confidence and that really affected me as a footballer. I was just constantly doubting myself, like I was not good enough. I didn’t want to go to training, which is not me. Then, you know you are really down low.

“Looking back, if someone had taken care of me as a young player, it would have helped me, for sure. For young guys going abroad, going to big clubs, I’d say to parents: ‘Be careful. Make sure the kid is OK.’ I have lovely parents, my mum FaceTimes me every day but still she didn’t know 100% how I felt. And for the clubs, definitely look out more for the younger players.

“On the other hand, I did learn a lot from the situation. It made me the guy I am today. My injury at Schalke, as well – it makes you stronger. You learn so much because you go into such a dark space. It feels like your whole world dies in front of you because football is your world. Luckily, I survived it.”

Van den Berg has been key for Brentford this season, making 37 appearances, including the 3-2 win over Liverpool at home back in October.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

Advertisement

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Mark Summers didn’t realise that he was talking to a decoy when he struck up the online conversation with teenager ‘Clio’.

The 53-year-old soon turned the chat sexual before the police were informed about his online behaviour, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.

Jade Houston, prosecuting, said: “He had been in contact with the decoy online, who was posing as a 15-year-old, and he asked her for pictures.

“Throughout the conversation, he calls her beautiful and then goes on to talk about sex with her.”

Miss Houston said the defendant has three previous convictions for five offences but none were relevant to his current case.

Summers, of Park Place, Darlington, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child on April 18 last year.

John Clish, mitigating, said his client does have some level of learning difficulty and is struggling to come to terms with his offending.

He said: “The position the defendant has taken in his probation service interview isn’t helpful.

“What he tells me is that he panicked – he understands it’s a serious offence and what the sentence could be.”

Deputy District Judge Anna Moran sentenced Summers to eight months in custody suspended for 18-months and ordered him to attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She said: “This is a serious offence which is why the court treats it as such.

“I realise that this was an attempt charge, there was no actual child on the receiving end, but that was not by design on your part.”

Summers was also ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and pay £272 towards court costs.

News round-up as Manchester United look to the future with Michael Carrick

As the Premier League campaign reaches its conclusion, attention at Manchester United has shifted to what looks set to be a hectic summer and Michael Carrick’s first complete season in charge.

United conclude their fixtures away at Brighton on Sunday with third spot and Champions League qualification already guaranteed. The match comes 48 hours after Carrick’s permanent appointment as manager on a two-year contract was announced.

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has additional motivation to impress at the Amex Stadium as he sits just one assist short of the Premier League’s all-time benchmark. MEN Sport brings you a summary of the latest United developments…

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Atalanta admission

The first signing of the Carrick era is reportedly nearing completion, with Atalanta midfielder Ederson apparently heading to Old Trafford. United have conducted discussions over the Brazilian, with a proposal of £34.5million – plus an additional £4.3m in add-ons – submitted.

Atalanta, who have grown familiar with watching their leading players depart for larger clubs, are prepared to bid farewell to the 26-year-old, who remained an unused substitute in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina.

While boss Raffaele Palladino refrained from mentioning United specifically, he acknowledged Ederson didn’t feature due to an imminent move. He said: “Ederson out? It was a decision we agreed with the boy because there’s something going on in the transfer market. The fact that such a player is being followed by such a big club should be a source of pride.”

Get Man United’s new 2026/27 home kit

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£85

Fanatics

Advertisement

Buy Now on Fanatics

Manchester United have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27 season, inspired by the club’s heritage and featuring a classic polo collar with iconic adidas details.

Exit announced

A United player has said an emotional goodbye to the club after 14 years. Sonny Aljofree, who spent the opening half of the campaign on loan at League Two side Notts County, has failed to break into the United first team, though he was invited to train with the squad by Carrick amid a defensive injury crisis.

It appears the 21-year-old hasn’t done enough to prolong his time at the club and seems destined to move down the divisions to gain regular first-team action.

In a farewell post on Instagram, Aljofree wrote: “After 14 years at this amazing football club, my second home, and the place I’ve grown from a boy to man.

“I can’t thank the staff, players and everybody who has helped me enough for everything they have helped me with throughout my time. I’ve made brothers for life and I will always appreciate what this club have given me.

“I wish everybody at the club the absolute best. Ready to kick on and keep growing as a person and as a player. Once a red, always a red.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

Advertisement

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

The Motability Scheme offers a Driving Lessons Grant that can provide up to 40 hours of funded driving lessons, but eligibility criteria apply

Advertisement

Many people receiving the higher or enhanced rates of disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), may be unaware that they could also qualify for free driving lessons through a grant provided by the Motability Scheme.

The ‘Driving Lessons Grant’ can offer up to 40 hours of funded driving lessons with a local driving instructor, arranged via the AA Driving School. It can also provide familiarisation lessons for those who have received a grant for driving adaptations.

It is worth noting that access to the grant is exclusively available to those who have a Motability Scheme vehicle or one due to arrive within the next four months, hold a provisional UK driving licence, have passed their theory test and receive a means-tested benefit.

Means-tested benefits include Universal Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) and Job Seekers Allowance (income-based).

It is estimated that the average learner driver requires between 40-50 hours of lessons before they are ready to sit their test, meaning these free lessons offered through the Motability Scheme could potentially cover an individual’s entire learning journey, reports the Daily Record.

Guidance on the Motability Scheme website explains: “The Driving Lessons Grant can be used if you’re learning to drive for the first time.

“If you are already a full licence holder, but we have grant-funded a change in driving adaptations to your Scheme vehicle, we may be able to fund familiarisation lessons. These help you to get used to a new way of driving.”

While the Driving Lessons Grant offers vital support for disabled individuals who have a vehicle lease, or are due to receive one, certain costs fall outside the scope of the grant.

These include:

• The cost of your theory or practical driving test
• Familiarisation lessons if you have not received a grant for driving adaptations
• Driving lessons for family members, carers or personal assistants
• Adaptations such as dual controls or an instructor brake for self-funded driving lessons

Full details on eligibility and how to apply for the Driving Lessons Grant can be found on the Motability Scheme website.

Based from Nunnington, walk along the River Rye, visit three peaceful villages and take in the good views.

Only five miles south of Helmsley, there is a National Trust-maintained country house in the small village of Nunnington.

Nunnington Hall has a perfect riverside setting, is not large but inside has some pretty Georgian period rooms.

Nunnington & Stonegrave (Image: Jonathan Smith)

Park in the car park, take the footbridge to the hall and at the main entrance enter Low Road heading west through some attractive Yorkshire stone buildings.

Where the road bends sharply left, take the stile directly ahead and join a riverside path.

A sign points to High Moor Lane, one mile distant.

The River Rye itself starts high on the moors to the north before joining the River Derwent further east.

After half a mile, the path leaves the river, bends left and passes a copse of trees before heading south along High Moor Lane.

Cottages in Nunnington (Image: Jonathan Smith)

The track climbs towards a quiet road, cross the road and a few metres on your left the path carries on through farmland uphill towards a broad ridge.

Continue over the high point and follow the track as it descends, initially leisurely but as it starts to bend, more steeply.

The final 100-foot drop is much steeper and arrives at a busier road.

This is Stonegrave.

Cross the road and enter the hamlet; no more than 100 residents reside here.

It will not take long to explore but search out Stonegrave Minster, a fine church with origins in the 8th century.

Re-cross the road and 100 metres to the east of the outbound path, a bridle path heads uphill, where the path forks keep left, contouring up the slope.

It is a lovely wide path flanked by attractive woodland.

Spring brings out its best side, particularly when the trees gain their foliage.

On arrival at the high point of Caulkleys Bank, the views open out beautifully.

To the north, the moors are shown to good effect whilst elsewhere the Vale of York and the Howardian Hills add interest to many miles of countryside.

The walking along the lane at the high point of the bank (there is a trig point and bench at 98m) does not seem to last long enough and soon starts to drop down towards the third hamlet of the day, West Ness.

Enter West Ness, and yet again it is worth having a look at the beautifully presented buildings (East Ness is not far away either).

Don’t cross the river but keep to the south bank and join the riverside path heading back to Nunnington.

The path is well signposted, in fact, I generally find the paths better signposted on this side of Yorkshire as opposed to the Dales end!

Pass the Old Mill and its nearby weir before leaving the river and arriving back at Nunnington.

There are some good views of the hall before arriving at the village centre.

Fact Box:

Distance: Roughly seven miles

Height Climbed: 140m (460 feet)

Start: SE 669796.

Park in the NT car park.

Difficulty: Medium.

The tracks are excellent and well signposted although the paths by the river can be muddy at this time of the year.

Refreshments: Nunnington Hall has a café but there is no pub as marked on the O/S maps.

Be Prepared:

The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk.

You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 300) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk).

You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors.

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.

Jonathan runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:

He has written three books on walking in the Dales; ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains and the long distance path ‘The Bracken Way.’

Buy them direct from Where2walk.

Jonathan runs Navigation Training Courses.

The next Beginners Course is on Saturday June 27th from Long Preston, near Settle.

You can buy Dales 30 Guide Book, T-Shirts and branded caps from the NEW Dales 30 website.

Start the challenge today.

Where2walk.co.uk features 100s of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.

Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days and navigation.

Man Utd boss Michael Carrick was asked about Pep Guardiola’s exit from Manchester City at the end of the season.

Michael Carrick has praised Pep Guardiola for having a “massive impact on football”. Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City after their final game of the season, following the club’s official confirmation.

Guardiola has led City to 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups, and he has faced six different Manchester United managers in that time.

The Catalan has overseen 27 games against United during his time in charge of City, winning 13, drawing 4 and losing 10.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, City have become the dominant force in Manchester, but 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules have cast a shadow over their success.

Guardiola is viewed alongside Ferguson as one of the game’s greatest-ever managers. When Carrick was asked about Guardiola’s exit on Thursday before the official announcement, he said: “I don’t know, it’s his last game for sure, so it’s difficult to elaborate too much on that.

“Because pure respect on Pep, his family in Manchester City is a football club, so he’s had a massive impact on football on these shores, and throughout Europe really in his time, in terms of what he’s achieved, really, is the standout, I think, the way he’s done it, and the teams and how he’s produced.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been on the other side of some of that, and I’ve had some good results against them as well, so whether that is the end or not, I’m just going to carry on, I’m not getting involved in that one at the moment.”

Guardiola lost what will be his final game against United as City boss, having been defeated 2-0 at Old Trafford in mid-January.

The Manchester derby was Carrick’s first game in charge following his appointment as interim coach, and he followed the victory with three points at the Emirates against Arsenal. Those results provided the platform for Carrick to guide the club back into the Champions League. The 44-year-old has now been rewarded with a two-year contract.

“To be honest, no. I feel good, you know,” he said when asked whether he needed a break after an intense period.

“I think you get in the rhythm of working really, of different ways, I’m sure you have different hours to what I do, some of you work more than others, I’m sure you do. You get used to it, you get into the flow of it, I’ve loved it, I’ve loved every minute of it, so I certainly don’t feel that I need a break.”

Enzo Maresca is expected to be named as Guardiola’s successor, meaning Carrick will go up against the former Chelsea boss in the Manchester derby next season.

That year, women kept custody in more than 86% of cases, while shared custody arrangements accounted for only a fraction of all agreements reached. In total, across Japan, there were more than 164,000 children under the age of 18 who had divorced parents and were impacted by custody arrangements that year.

The Gates Primary School on Bristle Hall hosted an incredible festival celebrating all things green.

It was the second year running for Gates Green Fest, which transformed the school grounds into a vibrant hub of environmental awareness and community engagement.

There was an impressive array of eco-friendly activities, with pupils showcasing their creativity through unique projects.

On Wednesday (May 20), The Bolton News went along to find out more and speak to students about the importance of sustainability.

The Gates Primary School staff (Image: NQ)

Headteacher Seán Doherty said: “We began the festival last year, working with a group of children from Year One to Year Six.

“With our Eco-Action Team, we wanted to do something based around spreading the message of positive sustainability.”

The school’s motto around sustainability is ‘Reuse, repurpose and reclaim’.

This is evidenced by the former fuel-run bus parked in front of the primary school, which has been repurposed into a welcoming reading space.

“We take things that people donate or items that are broken at the school, and reuse them for something new,” said Mr Doherty.

“We don’t have a budget, so everything is repurposed.”

The children even have their own garden, with reused wood for the planters.

The Eco Team and Gardening Club are devoted to keeping the garden thriving, planting everything from scratch.

Willow weaving (Image: NQ)

Lillia from Year 5, who is on the student council, spoke of her love for gardening.

“With my family, we’re doing a sunflower race to see who can grow the biggest one.

“My Grandad also built a planter, and together we have been finding seeds and planting them.”

Lillia said she adores being out in the garden because it “calms her down and is good for nature too”.

The Bolton News then spoke with Wyatt from Year 6, who agreed that gardening “calms his mood”.

He said helping with the school’s community garden has encouraged him to spend more time outdoors with his friends.

We also met the school’s head girl, Bea and head prefect, Florence, from Year 6, who have taken part in art projects using reused materials.

Town Mayor Councillor Sarita Chohan and Consort Mr Rishi Chohan with Florence, Bea and Mr Seán Doherty (Image: NQ)

Sarita Chohan and consort Rishi Chohan were also at the festival.

Cllr Sarita Chohan said: “It’s been a pleasure to be here, and it brings back memories for Rishi and myself because our boys came to this school.

“It’s wonderful to see passion from youngsters about how to reuse and sustain things that they use on a daily basis.

“We’ve walked around, made bird feeders, dug and planted bulbs and made marshmallows from natural ingredients.

“It’s been a great day.”

Sustainable artwork made by students (Image: NQ)

Mr Chohan added that it was great to see how enthusiastic the children were as they take steps towards creating a better world for themselves.

The school collaborated with local sustainable businesses and people who have a passion for helping the environment.

We ended our visit with willow weaving, a traditional craft using flexible willow branches to create beautiful, sustainable pieces.