Lee Chang-dong’s slow-burn drama was named the festival’s top film by FIPRESCI and the International Cinephile Society.

The FIPRESCI awards, which were chosen by a nine-person jury of critics from seven different countries, went to “Burning” in the main competition, with the jury citation calling it “a visually stunning film and an emotionally complex comment on contemporary society”; and Lukas Dhont’s “Girl” in the Un Certain Regard section, which the jury lauded for “its bold integrity in tackling gender issues and displaying incredible poise.”
The International Cinephile Society, which is made up of 21 critics from around the world, also gave its top award to “Burning.” In fact, wrote the group in its announcement, Lee Chang-dong’s film “burned the competition to ashes in virtually every category” and “should technically have won everything but Best Actress.” But the ICS follows the same rules as the official Cannes jury, which rules out giving any other awards to the film that wins the Palme d’Or.

I’m disappointed like many of the professional critics that “Burning,” the most highly regarded film in Cannes’s history was totally ignored by the jury headed by Cate Blanchett.
On the other hand, I’m glad they didn’t go back to Korea empty handed.