☛ Les films du losange: Official poster for Amour by Michael Haneke, 2012, France/allemagne/autriche, 2h07, couleur, 1.85, 4k – 2k, Dolby Digital. Retrieved from the press kit (PDF): French / English.

CANNES, France — Heavy rain dampened the final day of the 65th Cannes Film Festival, but it mattered not at all when the Palme d’Or was awarded to “Amour.” Brilliantly directed with an atypically tender touch by the Austrian director Michael Haneke, this story about an octogenarian husband and wife facing their mortality — beautifully played by the French actors Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva — had left audiences stunned with its artistry and the depth of feeling.

In the days leading up to the awards, the word buzzing through the festival was that “Amour” didn’t stand a chance of winning a significant prize because the head of the competition jury, the Italian director Nanni Moretti, had profoundly disliked Mr. Haneke’s violent 1997 shocker, “Funny Games.” Rounding out this year’s jury were three other directors (Alexander Payne, Raoul Peck and Andrea Arnold); one fashion designer (Jean Paul Gaultier); and four performers (Hiam Abbass, Diane Kruger, Ewan McGregor and Emmanuelle Devos). That Mr. Haneke first won the Palme in 2009 for “The White Ribbon” was largely thought to be another factor working against him. (The New York Times: “‘Amour,’ by Michael Haneke, Wins Palme d’Or at Cannes” by Manohla Dargis, May 27, 2012. Subscription may be required.)

Below is the official trailer with English subtitles (embedded from YouTube):