Palme d’Or Countdown: Who Should Win Based on Previous Winners?

Ranking at number one is the 2023 Ken Loach drama, The Old Oak, achieving a score of 53.65 out of 100. 

Written by Paul Laverty, the Old Oak tells the story of a pub landlord in a previously thriving mining community who struggles to hold onto his pub, whilst tensions rise in the town when Syrian refugees are placed in the empty houses in the community. 

Based on a formula from previous Palme d'Or award winners, The Old Oak is most likely to bring home the prize, with director Ken Loach and star members of the cast previously bringing home the prestigious award. 

This is also the last film for Loach, one of Britain’s most prolific and most political directors. 

Perfect Days is the second favourite contender in the study, with a score of 31.34 out of 100. The drama was directed by Wim Wenders who has had previous Palme d'Or award success.  

Perfect Days is an Japanese-German film which combines four short stories, starring Kōji Yakusho in the role of a toilet cleaner, this film is set to have its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival on 25 May 2023. 

A Brighter Tomorrow ranks in third, with a score of 30.46 out of 100, it was produced in Italy and France – which are location favourites based on previous winners.  

Directed by Nanni Moretti, the storyline is based around Giovanni, who is a director, and Paola, a producer. Giovanni shot a film set in 1956, wrote a film adaptation from John Cheever's "The Swimmer" and imagined a film with many Italian songs. 

The fourth favourite is About Dry Grasses, the longest film in the top ten running for 197 minutes. With a score of 30.22 out of 100, this drama was produced in Turkey and directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. 

Starring Deniz Celiloğlu, Merve Dizdar and Musab Ekici, the storyline is based on a young teacher who hopes to be appointed to Istanbul after mandatory duty at a small village. After a long time waiting, he loses all hope of escaping from this gloomy life. 

Scraping fifth place is Fallen Leaves, a 2023 Finnish comedy-drama film written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Scoring 27.12 out of 100, it is the shortest film in the top 10, with an 81-minute running time.  

Fallen Leaves is Kaurismäki's 20th full-length film and a continuation of his Proletariat Trilogy, which already includes Shadows in Paradise (1986), Ariel (1988) and The Match Factory Girl. 

Rounding out the top five is Monster, Homecoming, May December, Last Summer and Black Flies.