‘Fjord,’ divisive Palme d’Or recipient, ignites discussion in cultural circles about the far right as French elections approach.

The article discusses the polarizing response to Cristian Mungiu’s film Fjord, which won the Cannes Palme d’Or and sparked debate about the appropriate attitude towards the far-right Rassemblement National party in France. The film tells the story of a Romanian-Norwegian couple facing child custody issues due to their extreme traditional values, leading to a portrayal of Norway as a totalitarian regime, contrasting with their perceptions of Romanian history under a dictatorship. Mungiu’s approach challenges progressive norms by eliciting empathy for a family with troubling views, highlighting the divide in cultural and political discourse and the need for engagement across differing perspectives.