Ruben Östlund has been known in Cannes since 2014, when the Swedish director presented “Force Majeure” there, which made him suddenly famous. Östlund received the Palme d’Or in 2017 for his next film “The Square”. His third film is also a deep black social satire that deals with the self-image of men – and deals with the sensitivities of the super-rich in a very entertaining and funny way. For this, “Triangle of Sadness”, which opens in our cinemas on Thursday, received another Palme d’Or in May. And Östlund has the reputation of being one of the most brilliant dissectors of our society and civilization.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly: Mr. Östlund, would you have ever dreamed that only five years later you would be able to win this important trophy again?
Ruben Ostlund: No never. I was surprised when I was invited to the ceremony, the call came very late. I knew from the first time how it works and when the call would come inviting them to the final gala, but I didn’t tell them what you would win. I was afraid I might share a prize with someone. I wouldn’t have liked that at all.
That doesn’t sound very modest.
If so, I want a trophy for myself! I was very excited. The prizes are awarded in a certain order, and the categories increase in importance. I was already wondering if there was anything left for me or if I had been forgotten. Eventually I lost all hope, there was only one prize left… and I held the second Palme d’Or in my hands. Then there was a celebration.
A story from the current issue of the FAZ magazine “Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly”
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Have you recovered from the “shock” in the meantime?
Yes, the second time it was much faster than the first time. Still, there are only nine directors in the festival’s history to have won more than one Palme d’Or… and it’s a fantastic feeling to be a part of it.
Won the Palme d’Or with two films in a row: Director Ruben Östlund
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Image: Sina Ostlund
Cinema gods like Coppola, Haneke, Kusturica, the Dardenne brothers, Imamura…
… and only two others have had consecutive film awards! I can hardly believe it myself.
Which of the congratulations showered on you really touched you?
There are many colleagues in the film business that I look up to and respect very much. I hardly dare to call them “colleagues”, this includes brilliant European directors like Michael Haneke or Pawel Pawlikowski. They still see cinema as an art form. To get a call from them and hear how excited they are about my film is incredible.
Has Hollywood called in now and offered you big superhero blockbusters?
Yes, they call all the time. But I don’t want these blockbusters at all! I don’t even answer anymore, I’m glad when I have my peace!
You’re kidding?!
No, I have no interest in Hollywood. I want to make European films where I have artistic control. I want to take care of the production myself and I want to continue the European tradition of filmmaking. We must protect this art form and give it space.
