Tran Anh Hung, the Franco-Vietnamese director, has won the Best Director award at the 76th Cannes International Film Festival 2023 for his film 'La Passion de Dodin Bouffant'.

A scene from Tran Anh Hung’s film. Photo: Festival de Cannes

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Marcel Rouff, "La Passion de Dodin Bouffant" tells the love story between the young chef Eugenie (played by Juliette Binoche) and the famous chef Dodin (played by Benoit Magimel), who work together for 20 years and fall in love over their shared passion for the culinary arts.

Though they create many exquisite dishes together, Eugenie eventually yearns for freedom and refuses Dodin's proposal. The renowned chef decides to give her a special meal as a gift. The movie received critical acclaim for its settings, props, and the variety of banquets.

Through the film, Hung demonstrates his ability to explore the connection between love and food while touching on the themes of freedom, devotion, and creativity.

Born in 1962 in the central beach city of Danang, Vietnam, Hung is a renowned filmmaker who has won numerous international awards. He has established a reputation in European and world cinema, especially with movies set in Vietnam.

Hung has participated in the Cannes Film Festival and won the Cannes Golden Camera for "The Scent of Green Papaya". His recent success with "La Passion de Dodin Bouffant" further cements his position as a leading figure in the film industry.

The Best Director award was not the only accolade for "La Passion de Dodin Bouffant" at Cannes 2023. The film also received praise for its cinematography, sound design, and acting performances. Juliette Binoche, in particular, was lauded for her portrayal of Eugenie, a character torn between her love for Dodin and her desire for independence.

As the film industry continues to evolve, Tran Anh Hung's work serves as a reminder that storytelling is at the heart of cinema. By weaving together themes of love, food, and freedom, he has created a film that resonates with audiences on a universal level. 

In addition to La Passion de Dodin Bouffant, another twenty movies have been nominated for the 76th Cannes Film Festival top prize and awarded at the closing ceremony on May 28.

The festival celebrated cinema with a diverse selection of films from around the world.